complete verse (Ezekiel 23:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 23:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Ezekiel, there were at one time some two girls who were sisters from one stomach.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Man, in-the-time-past there were two sisters.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘You human, listen to this parable about Jerusalem and Samaria. Once there were two women, daughters of the same mother.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 23:2

For Son of man (International Children’s Bible “Human being”),

There were two women, the daughters of one mother: The prophecy introduces two women who were the daughters of one mother, that is, “sisters” (Good News Translation). The point of their being sisters is that they were very similar to each other. Together the two sisters are a picture of the whole nation of Israel. New Century Version says simply “a woman had two daughters.” Translators can use whatever expression is natural in their language.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .