complete verse (Deuteronomy 22:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 22:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a man is found sleeping with the wife of another man, both are to be killed. Do like that so that you can get rid of sin in your midst.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If you any man is found while having intercourse with another man’s wife, both the man and the woman [he] was sleeping with must be killed. You must remove such kind of evil deeds from among Israel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘If a man is caught-in-the-act having-sexual-intercourse with a woman who has a husband, the two of them with the woman must be-killed. You (plur.) must eradicate this wickedness from Israel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘If a man is caught while he is having sex with another man’s wife, both of them must be executed. By doing that, you will get rid of this evil practice in Israel.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 22:22

This is the first case dealing with adultery. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death, presumably by stoning (as in verses 21 and 24).

With the beginning of a new section, Moses should be reintroduced as the speaker.

Lying with the wife of another man means “having intercourse with [or, sleeping with] the wife of….”

For purge the evil, see 13.5; 19.13.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .