behead

The Greek and Hebrew that is typically translated as “behead” in English is translated in Newari as “cut on the neck” (source: Newari Back Translation).

with orders to bring his head

The Greek in Mark 6:27 that is translated “…with orders to bring his head” or similar in English is translated in Waiwai as noro pitho taki ehtati: “She says to go bring his head now.” Robert Hawkins (in The Bible Translator 1962, pp. 164ff. ) explains: “The particle ti indicates indirect quotation; with commands or requests it has the effect of laying all the responsibility for the command or request ontp another person. We feel that Herod, if he had been speaking Waiwai, would have thus laid the responsibility for this request on the daughter of Herodias as he regretted the action very much.”

See also John, whom I beheaded and has been raised.

Mark 6:14-29 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:14-29 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

The region of Galilee. King Herod ruled there. Earlier he had captured and imprisoned the messenger John. For what reason? King Herod had a brother named Philip. Philip had a wife named Herodias. Herod stole his brother’s wife and married Herodias. The messenger John rebuked Herod directly and said, “What have you done?”

King Herod did not like this, and he put John in prison. Herodias, the king’s wife, hated John and wanted to kill him. But she could not do it because the king feared John. The king saw that John was righteous. So the king did not want to kill him, even though he put him in prison. Although John rebuked the king directly, yet the king liked to listen to John.

Some time later it was Herod’s birthday. The king had gathered many guests, men of nobility and wealth, people famous in Galilee, and military leaders. They were all feasting at the table.

The daughter of Herodias, Herod’s wife, came. She danced very beautifully. All the guests admired, and the king himself admired. The king said:

— Ask of me whatever you wish! I’ll give you everything. I promise to give you half of my kingdom.

Herodias’ daughter went to her mother and asked her:

— The king has promised me half of the kingdom. What shall I ask of him?

Herodias said:

— I want John’s head cut off. Go and demand of King Herod that John’s head be brought on a platter.

The girl went and demanded of the king:

— Bring me the head of John the messenger on a platter!

Herod was saddened. He thought:

— I wanted to preserve John’s life. But I promised before many witnesses, and I cannot cancel my promise. So the king ordered the soldiers to cut off John’s head and bring the head on a platter. The soldiers obeyed and went to the prison and cut off John’s head and brought the head on a platter. The daughter took the platter with the head and carried it to her mother.

The disciples who used to follow John the messenger heard that his head had been cut off. They came and asked for John’s body, took the body, wrapped it and buried it. After a while, King Herod heard about Jesus, because the name Jesus became known all over the neighborhood, because Jesus worked miracles, healed people, made them well. Some people said:

— This is John the messenger, who died and now is risen.

And others said:

— This is the prophet Elijah.

And others said:

— No, this is a different prophet.

They all said different things. But King Herod thought:

— I am sure that Jesus is John the messenger, whom I had executed, and now he has risen again.

Original Russian back-translation (click or tap here):

Область Галилея. Там правил царь Ирод. Ранее он схватил и посадил в тюрьму вестника Иоанна. По какой причине? У царя Ирода есть брат по имени Филипп. У Филиппа была жена по имени Иродиада. Ирод увел у брата жену и женился на Иродиаде. Вестник Иоанн прямо обличал Ирода и говорил: «Что ты сделал?!»

Царю Ироду это не нравилось, и он посадил Иоанна в тюрьму. Жена царя Иродиада ненавидела Иоанна и хотела его убить. Но это у нее не получалось, потому что царь опасался Иоанна. Царь видел, что Иоанн был праведным. Поэтому царь не хотел его убивать, хотя и посадил в тюрьму. Хотя Иоанн обличал царя прямо, однако царю нравилось слушать Иоанна.

Через какое-то время был день рождения Ирода. Царь собрал множество гостей, людей знатных и богатых, известных в Галилее, военачальников. Они все пировали за столом.

Пришла дочь Иродиады, жены Ирода. Она очень красиво танцевала. Все гости восхищались, и сам царь восхищался. Царь сказал:

— Проси у меня, что пожелаешь! Я тебе все дам. Обещаю, что подарю тебе половину моего царства.

Дочь Иродиады пошла к своей матери и спросила у нее:

— Царь обещал мне половину царства. Что мне попросить у него?

Иродиада сказала:

— Я хочу, чтобы Иоанну отрубили голову. Иди и требуй у царя Ирода, чтобы голову Иоанна принесли на блюде.

Девушка пошла и потребовала от царя:

— Принесите мне голову Иоанна-вестника на блюде!

Ирод опечалился. Он подумал:

— Я хотел сохранить жизнь Иоанна. Но я обещал перед многими свидетелями, и отменить свое обещание я не могу. И царь приказал солдатам отрубить Иоанну голову и принести голову на блюде. Солдаты повиновались, пошли в тюрьму и отрубили голову Иоанну и принесли на блюде голову. Дочь взяла блюдо с головой и понесла матери.

Ученики, которые раньше следовали за Иоанном-вестником, услышали, что ему отрубили голову. Они пришли и попросили тело Иоанна, забрали тело, запеленали и похоронили. Спустя какое-то время, царь Ирод услыхал об Иисусе, потому что имя Иисус стало известно по всей округе, ведь Иисус творил чудеса, исцелял людей, делал их здоровыми. Некоторые говорили:

— Это Иоанн-вестник, который умер, а теперь воскрес.

А другие говорили:

— Это пророк Илия.

А третьи говорили:

— Нет, это другой пророк.

Все говорили по-разному. Но царь Ирод подумал:

— Я уверен, что Иисус — это Иоанн-вестник, которого я казнил, а теперь он воскрес.

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

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Mark 6:30-44 in Russian Sign Language >>

Mark 6:17-29 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:17-29 into Mexican Sign Language with back-translations into Spanish and English underneath (note that verses 14-16 are placed at the end of this episode in Mexican Sign Language):


© La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

Retrotraducciones en español (haga clic o pulse aquí)

¿Recuerdan a Juan el Bautista? Él fue encarcelado. ¿Porqué fue?

Miren, la esposa del hermano de Rey Herodes, Felipe, era Herodías. El Rey Herodes había robado y casado Herodías.

Juan el Bautista lo había insultado (diciendo): “Es la esposa de tu hermana, es ocupada, no debes robarla y casarla, la Ley de Dios lo prohibe, lo dice una y otra vez.”

El rey había mandado a soldados para arrestar a Juan el Bautista, lo habían atado con cadenas de hierro y lo habían metido en el cárcel.

Después, por un tiempo Juan el Bautista explicaba sobre Dios y el Rey Herodes lo oía: Huy interesante. Siento miedo viendolo, ¿qué tipo de hombre es? En verdad, es justo y santo. ¿Lo acepto? Estoy dudando.

Herodías lo odiaba a Juan el Bautista quería que fue matado: ¡Qué estorbo que mi esposo conserva y protege a Juan el Bautista! Y ella esperaba.

Después, un día, por fin….. En el cumpleaños del Rey Herodes, en el mismo lugar en Galilea invitaban a gobernadores, líderes militares, y hombres superiores. Una multitud se congregaba en la casa del Rey Herodes por una fiesta, un banquete.

Mientras estaban comiendo la hija de Herodías, una jóven, vino a bailar, y todos la vieron y les gustó mucho.

El Rey Herodes lo miraba y dijo: “Tu pideme lo que quieras y te lo doy, en verdad, lo prometo. Si tú quieres parto el reino entre nosotros dos y te doy la mitad, dime lo que quieras.”

La mujer:: ‘espera un tantito’ y caminó (hacia su madre) y dijo: “Mamá, ¿cuál cosa le pido que me dé? La mamá fue: bueno, y dijo: “Dile (que quieres) Juan el Bautista decapitado.”

La mujer caminó (hacia el rey) y dijo: “Quiero pedir que Juan el Bautista sea decapitado y que me traigan su cabeza en un plato, ahorita.”

El rey se sentía angustiado y dijo a si mismo: Caray, ya dije que lo prometí de verdad, qué estorbo, y todos me vieron.

Dijo a un soldado: “Vete decapita a Juan el Bautista, pon su cabeza en un plato y traemelo.”

El soldado fue y entró el cárcel y decapitó a Juan el Bautista, puso su cabeza en un plato y lo llevó. La mujer tomó el plato y lo llevó a su mamá.

Después las personas lo chismearon hasta lejos y advertieron los discípulos de Juan el Bautista que ya había muerto y los discípulos fueron y trajeron el cuerpo de Juan el Bautista y lo enterraron.


Do you remember John the Baptist. He was put in prison. Why?

Look, the wife of the brother of King Herod, Philip, was Herodias. King Herod had stolen and married Herodias.

John the Baptist had insulted him (by saying): “She is taken as the wide of your brother, you must not steal her and marry her, the Law of God prohibits it, it says so again and again.”

The king had ordered soldiers to arrest John the Baptist and they had chained him with iron chains and had put him in prison.

Afterwards for a while John the Baptist would explain about God and King Herod would hear him: Wow, interesting, I feel afraid when I see him. What kind of man is he? Truly, he is upright and holy. Shall I accept (what he says). I am in doubt.

Herodias hated John the Baptist and wanted him killed: What a nuisance that my husband preserves and protects John the Baptist! She waited.

Afterwards, one day, finally….For King Herod’s birthday, in Galilee itself, they invited governors, military leaders and high-ranking men. A multitude came together in the house of King Herod for a feast, a banquet.

While they were eating the daughter of Herodias, a young woman, came to dance and they all watched her and liked it very much.

King Herod looked at her and said: “Ask me whatever you want and I’ll give it to you, really, I promise. If you want we will share the kingdom, I will give you half, tell me what you want.”

The woman went: ‘wait just a moment’ and she walked over (to her mother) and said: “Mother, what shall I ask that he give me?” The mother went ‘good’, and said: “You tell him (you want) John the Baptist beheaded.”

The woman walked over (to the king) and said: “I want to ask that John the Baptist is beheaded and that they bring me his head on a plate, right now.”

The king was distressed and said to himself: Ay, it’s happened, I said that I really promised, what a nuisance, everyone saw me.

He said to a soldier: “Go, and behead John the Baptist, put his head on a plate and bring it to me.”

The soldier went and entered the prison, beheaded John the Baptist, put his head on a plate and took it over. The woman received the plate and took it to her mother.

Afterwards people passed on the news far and wide and they warned the disciples of John the Baptist that he had died, and the disciples went and brought back the body of John the Baptist and buried it.

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

<< Mark 6:7-13 in Mexican Sign Language
Mark 6:14-16 in Mexican Sign Language >>

complete verse (Mark 6:27)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 6:27:

  • Uma: “He at once ordered a soldier to go get the head of Yohanes the Baptizer. The soldier went to the prison and chopped off his heard.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Immediately he commanded one of the soldiers of his guard to go and get the head of Yahiya. So-then the soldier went to behead Yahiya in the prison.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Then he sent a soldier to the prison to cut off the head of John the Baptist. And the soldier went there and he cut off the head of John the Baptist.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Therefore he sent a soldier immediately to go get Juan’s head. The soldier went to the prison and cut-off his head.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He ordered the guard at once to bring to him the head of Juan. The one he ordered obeyed. Juan was beheaded there in prison.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 6:14-29)

Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 6:14-29:

Jesus became so famous that some people claimed,
“He’s John Dipper come back to life.” Others disagreed,
       “No, he’s one of the ancient prophets now returned.”

Governor Herod had previously executed John Dipper,
but still Herod thought Jesus was John
       alive and kicking once again. So the

Here’s the story: Herod had earlier married Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip,
       but John had vigorously and publicly objected.

Herod wanted to make Herodias happy,
       so he had John thrown in prison.
However, Herodias wasn’t finished with John,
       but she was absolutely helpless —
Although Herod was afraid of John,
he often went to him for advice,
       but always returned frustrated and confused.

At last, Herodias got her big chance,
when her daughter danced
       at the birthday party Herod had thrown for himself.
His public officials and military officers had been invited,
and her dancing pleased them so much
       that Herod promised her whatever she wanted.

She was a momma’s girl and hurried off to Herodias,
who told her to ask for delivery on a platter
       the head of John Dipper.

When Herod was informed, he immediately performed
and ordered John Dipper to be decapitated.
       Then his head was displayed on a platter.
When John’s followers learned of his fate,
       they took his body and placed it in a tomb.

king

Click here to view graphically

Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:

(Click or tap here to see details)

  • Piro: “a great one”
  • Highland Totonac: “the big boss”
  • Huichol: “the one who commanded” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Ekari: “the one who holds the country” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Una: weik sienyi: “big headman” (source: Kroneman 2004, p. 407)
  • Pass Valley Yali: “Big Man” (source: Daud Soesilo)
  • Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
  • Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))

Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:

“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”

(Source: Faye Edgerton in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 25ff. )

See also king (Japanese honorifics).