complete verse (Exodus 21:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 21:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “And if it is desired that the life of that person is ransomed, then whatever has been judged/decided should be paid.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If he wants to save his life by making payment, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But if the owner is-asked/(caused)-to-pay so he can-live, he must pay whatever is asked/(caused)- of him -to-pay.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “But if the relatives of the man who died want, the bulmakao’s owner must pay however much they demand to them, and then the bulmakao’s owner won’t die.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “If they permit it that owner of cow he might buy his life with money, let him buy it with money which judges say.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “However, if the owner of the bull is allowed to pay a fine to save his own life/in order not to be executed, he must pay the full amount that the judges say that he must pay.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 21:30

If a ransom is laid on him is a literal translation that means “If a ransom is imposed on the owner” (New Revised Standard Version). Since this is an exception to the death penalty in verse 29, it is helpful to begin with “However” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). The ransom here means “an indemnity” (Durham), “a money payment” (Revised English Bible), or “a fine” (Good News Translation). To be laid on him means “is demanded of him” (New International Version).

Then he shall give means that “he must pay” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). For the redemption of his life is literally “ransom [money] of his life,” but it may be easier to translate the noun as a verb, “in order to redeem [Good News Translation ‘save’] his life.” Whatever is laid upon him is literally “all that is laid upon him.” This means “whatever is demanded” (New International Version), “the full amount required” (Good News Translation), or “by paying whatever fine is demanded” (Contemporary English Version). In languages that do not have the passive voice, one may say “the owner must pay whatever fine they demand,” where “they” refers to the arbitrators or judges.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .