complete verse (Deuteronomy 4:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 4:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “or an animal that pulls itself on the ground or any fish.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Any of the smaller animals or insects or of a fish in the waters below — do not make an idol of any of these!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “or crawls or swims.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “or any reptile/creature that scurries across the ground or any fish in the deep ocean.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 4:17 - 4:18

All living beings are here grouped under four headings (see Gen 1.26). Good News Translation has kept the essential information by translating “animal or bird, reptile or fish” (also Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Bible en français courant). Some translations may prefer to use a fuller form, in keeping with the Hebrew style. Whatever is used, it should sound natural in that language.

Any beast that is on the earth: “any land animal.”

Any winged bird that flies in the air: “any [wild] bird.”

Anything that creeps on the ground: “any reptile or insect,” “any of the smaller animals or insects.”

Any fish that is in the water under the earth: this corresponds to the Hebrew concept of the universe as consisting of three parts: the heavens, the earth, and the water under the earth (see 5.8). This water under the earth was the vast subterranean ocean under the surface of the earth, not the lakes and seas on the surface of the earth. A literal translation here will require a note explaining what is meant by this strange phrase.

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 .