complete verse (Leviticus 25:51)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 25:51:

  • Kupsabiny: “If there are still many years before the year of release will arrive, the person should release himself with much money surpassing the money which he was sold for.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If there is still much time remaining [until] the Year of Jubilee comes, he must pay much money to redeem himself.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “What he is-to-do (is) he and the-one-who-bought him are-to-add-up/count how many (were) the years of his service and how-much would-be-suitable if he had-been paid just-like/same as it is-done for a hired worker. The suitable price/amount he will-subtract from the price which was-paid for him back-then when he was-bought as a slave. (That amount/price was-based on the number of years since he was-bought until the Year of Setting-Free and Returning.) And if (there-is) a remaining amount that is what he is-to-pay to-redeem him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If there are a lot of years that remain until the Year of Celebration, he must pay for his release a larger amount of the money.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 25:51 - 25:52

The wording of Revised Standard Version, following the Hebrew, is long and repetitious, but the essential meaning is captured by Good News Translation in fewer words and a much simpler structure.

He shall refund: that is, the Israelite must pay back an amount equivalent to the value of a hired worker for the number of years left until the next Year of Restoration.

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 .