complete verse (Leviticus 22:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 22:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not suffocate (kill) a cow and its calf or a sheep and its lamb in one/the same day.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Don’t kill cow or bull or a lamb together with its offspring [lit.: child] on the same day.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (plur.)] do- not -offer at-the-same-time the cow or sheep with its offspring in just one day/(on the same day).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Do not slaughter a cow or a sheep and its baby on the same day.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 22:28

Kill: or “slaughter” (see 17.3), but in this context the verb “sacrifice” may be better.

Ewe: the word used here may actually refer to a sheep or a goat. Hence the more accurate translation of Good News Translation.

Note the restructuring of Good News Translation. Terms for “mother cow” and “mother sheep” as well as “baby cow” and “baby sheep” should be used in this verse if they exist as separate terms in the receptor language.

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 .