complete verse (Deuteronomy 2:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 2:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “Allow us to go through your land. We shall follow the road that passes by and not turn to look at this side or that side.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Please allow us to go by way of your land. We will only go by way of the main road, we will not go left or right. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘If possible allow us (excl.) to pass-through on your (plur.) land. We (excl.) will- not -pass-through on other roads but-rather only on your (plur.) main road.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Please allow us to travel through your land. We promise that we will stay on the road; we will not turn off to the right or to the left.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 2:27

Let me pass through: Moses, as leader, speaks for all the Israelites. In most languages it will be better to use the plural, “Let us [exclusive] pass through” (also in verses 48-49).

I will turn aside neither …: Moses promises that the Israelites will go straight through Sihon’s country, staying on the main road and not stopping to plunder or pillage. It will be an entirely peaceful passage through his country. In some languages the last part of the verse may be expressed as “We will keep to the road, and we will go straight through.”

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 .