complete verse (Leviticus 23:29)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 23:29:

  • Kupsabiny: “Any person who does not abstain from food on this day shall be chased away from his people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I will drive out from among my people, those who do not keep the fast on that day.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The-(ones-who) will- not -fast on that day you (plur.) are- no-longer -to-consider a member of you (plur.)” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You must expel from your group anyone who does not fast/abstain from eating food on that day.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 23:29

Whoever is not afflicted: that is, any person who does not fast or practice self-denial. Good News Translation states the same thing without the use of the negative form: “Anyone who eats anything….” See verse 27 above.

On this same day: as in the previous verse, it may be better in some languages to leave this information implicit.

Cut off from his people: the common expression for excommunication from the people of Israel. See 7.20.

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 .