complete verse (Leviticus 18:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 18:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not sleep with the/a daughter of the other house (another wife of the father) because that is a frightful thing.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’Do not intercourse with a daughter born to your stepmother. She is your sister. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -have-sexual-intercourse with the female child/(daughter) of your (sing.) father with his other wives, for she (is) also your (sing.) sibling/(sister).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Do not have sex with your half-sister, because she is your sister.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 18:11

Some have seen this as a repetition of the prohibition found in verse 9, but this is unlikely. See the discussion under verse 9.

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 .