power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (Deuteronomy 8:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 8:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, do not say in your stomachs, ‘We got this wealth from our strength and our power alone.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You will not be able to say, "We have gotten this wealth and property by the power and strength of our own hands."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) might say to yourselves, ‘By my power and strength I owned/possessed all this wealth.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Be sure that you do not think to yourselves, ‘I have acquired all these things by my own power and ability.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 8:17

Beware lest you say in your heart: that is, “Be careful not to say to yourself [or, yourselves],” or even “Be careful that you never think.”

My power and the might of my hand: the Israelites might be tempted to think that they had prospered because of their own efforts, their own skill and strength. Many languages require direct speech here, although Good News Translation has indirect speech. A model using direct speech is “Don’t think, ‘My own skill and hard work have made me rich.’ ” Contemporary English Version has “don’t say, ‘I’m rich, I have earned it all myself.’ ” In some languages wealth is defined by possessions (cattle and so on) rather than silver and gold. So we may translate “that gives you the strength to get many 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 .