complete verse (Leviticus 13:57)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 13:57:

  • Kupsabiny: “And if that mold appears again the owner must burn the cloth or skin.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If that mold appears again in the remaining cloth or sewn clothing or leather item, it is spreading. That molding item must be burned with fire.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But if the mildew comes-back again and spreads, the cloth or leather must be-burnt.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But if the mildew reappears in that item, it is clear that it is spreading, and the whole item must be burned.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 13:57

It: the pronoun refers to the mildew (or the “greenish or reddish spot”), and this should probably be made clear in most languages.

It is spreading: the word used here comes from the same root as the verb rendered “to break out” in verses 12, 20, and 25 and may be translated in a similar manner in the receptor language.

You shall burn with fire: compare verse 55. In this case Good News Translation rightly takes the second person singular pronoun to refer to the owner of the object.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .