abomination

The Hebrew that is translated as “abomination” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “hated thing” and in Kwere as zitibusa which means “evil” but also something that causes horror or disgust and revolts people. (Source for both: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

in Ngambay it is nékɔb or “taboo.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also detestable in the sight of God and holy.

complete verse (Leviticus 20:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 20:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a man commits a sexual sin with a (young) man by sleeping with (him) to be a woman, both has sinned. Both those people are to be killed because they brought it on themselves.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “”’If anyone has intercourse with a man like a man has intercourse with a woman, that is a repulsive deed. They must be killed. Such a person is guilty of a great crime.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If a man has-sexual-intercourse with his male fellowman, the two of them must be-killed/be-put-to-death for what they have-done (is) destestable/abominable. They (are) responsible for their (own) death.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘If two men have sex together, they have done something detestable. They must both be executed, they will be responsible for their own deaths.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 20:13

Lies with a male as with a woman: see 18.22.

An abomination: see 7.18; 11.10; 18.22.

They shall be put to death: this is the same emphatic construction as used in verses 2, 4, 9, 10, and elsewhere.

Their blood is upon them: indicating their personal responsibility as in verses 11 and 12 above. This constitutes a kind of summary statement which serves to emphasize the personal accountability.

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 .