perversion / depravity

The Hebrew that is translated as “perversion,” “depravity” or something alike in English is translated in Kwere as chilozo, meaning “that which is not wanted,” which means that which is unusual or out of the norm. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Leviticus 20:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 20:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a man turns to (and sleeps with) the wife of his son, that man has committed a sexual sin. So, he and the woman is to be killed because they brought it on themselves.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’If anyone has intercourse with his son’s wife, they must both be killed. They have committed a perversion. Such a person is guilty of a great crime ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If a father has-sexual-intercourse with his female child-in-law/(daughter-in-law), the two of them must be-killed/be-put-to-death. For what they have-done (is) evil. They (are) responsible for their (own) death.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘If a man has sex with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be executed. What they have done is very perverse; and they will be responsible for their own deaths.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 20:12

Lies with: see verse 11 and 15.18.

Daughter-in-law: compare 18.15.

Incest: this is the same word that is translated “perversion” in 18.23. It carries the idea of “confusion” or of something that is out of harmony with the normal order of creation. In view of the context it may be legitimately translated incest here. But in some languages a more general term equivalent to “perversion” may be used both here and in 18.23.

Their blood is upon them: see verse 11.

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 .