complete verse (Deuteronomy 8:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 8:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “and when/if you have gotten much wealth with many cows and sheep/goats and also much silver and gold,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “when your flocks and herds increase and when the gold and silver that you have is sufficient,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “and become-many now your (plur.) animals, silver, gold and possessions,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “and when the number of your cattle and sheep has greatly increased, and when you have accumulated a large amount of silver and gold, and the amount of all your other possessions has greatly increased,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 8:13

Your herds and flocks multiply: see 2.35 and 7.13. Herds are cattle, flocks are goats and sheep. Contemporary English Version has “You will get more and more cattle, sheep…”; or we may say “You will get more and more cows, sheep, and goats.”

Your silver and gold is multiplied: essentially, this means that they will get richer. If translators choose to not use silver and gold, the word “money” should not be used, but the general term “wealth,” or the adjective “rich”: “you will get richer.”

All you have: this is a summary statement for all their possessions.

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 .