interest

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “interest” (as in payments for a loan) in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as chiwongoladzanja which literary means something that stretches the hand. The understanding is that an interest is paid to thank the hand that was stretched out in the process of giving a loan. Since a person gets a loan to be helped from their problems, thanking the hand that has given (stretched out in giving) is considered to be an important way of expressing one’s gratitude. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (Leviticus 25:37)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 25:37:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not lend that person money so that he shall be adding something to you on top of what you gave him, and do not give him food so that you get something for your own profit.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You are not to give them money at interest. And even if you sell [them] food, do not sell, take a profit.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (plur.)] loan/[lit. cause-to-be-borrowed-by] him money with no interest, and [you (plur.)] sell him food with no profit, so-that he can-continue to-live among you (plur.). [You (plur.)] do that to-show that you (plur.) respect me who (is) your (plur.) God.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If you lend him money, do not charge interest; and if you sell food to him, charge him only what you paid for it; do not get a profit from it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 25:37

This verse further develops the thought of 36a concerning interest of any kind. It is not only money that is involved, but loans of any sort (specifically food).

Lend him your money at interest: in some languages it may be necessary to say something like “Do not give him money with the condition that he return to you more than you give him” or, as suggested above, “do not make him pay rent on money borrowed.”

Give him your food for profit: as in the above case, it may be necessary to say “Do not sell him food for more than it cost you” or “Do not give him food and expect him to repay you more than you give.” The latter is perhaps better, in the sense that it involves more of a friendly loan of food than a commercial transaction.

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 .