complete verse (Leviticus 14:46)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 14:46:

  • Kupsabiny: “And/But any person who has entered that closed off house that person is unclean until evening/sunset.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When this house is shut up, if anyone even enters [it] that person will be unclean until evening.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Anyone/[lit. whoever] who goes-inside this house while it is- closed is-to-be-considered dirty/unclean until (it) becomes-dusk/twilight.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Anyone who goes into that house while it is locked up will not be allowed to be with other people until sunset of that day.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 14:46

Moreover: this translates the same word that is usually rendered “and” in Revised Standard Version. Moffatt translates “Also….” It simply indicates that, in addition to what has already been stated, the following is also required.

He who enters: this is clearly a general statement and so must often be translated “whoever goes in” or “Anyone who enters,” as in Good News Translation.

While it is shut up: logic may require something like “during the time when it was supposed to be closed up,” since it would have to be opened in some way for a person to enter. Another possibility is “during the days when the priest had ordered it to be closed.” Wenham translates “during the period it is officially shut up.” This refers to the week of quarantine mentioned in verse 38.

Until the evening: or “until sunset.”

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 .