dance

The Greek that is translated in English as “danced” is translated in Mazaltepec Zapotec as “danced by herself,” since otherwise the implication is that she was dancing with a man. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

Herod (Antipas)

The Greek that is transliterated as “Herod (Antipas)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for king and and a sign depicting cutting off the head (of John the Baptist), referring to Matthew 14:10 et al. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Herod” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Herod Antipas .

complete verse (Matthew 14:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 14:6:

  • Uma: “After that, when Herodes made a feast/party to remember the day of his birth, the daughter of Herodias danced (modero’–see footnote) in front of the guests. Herodes was very glad seeing her dance.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then one day Herod made a feast to celebrate the day of his birth. The daughter of Herodiyas danced and the people there watched her. Herod was very happy” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And on the day when Herod is celebrating his being born long ago, the maiden daughter of Herodias danced for the people who were gathered there. Herod really liked it.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When the day arrived on which Herod had been born, the young-lady who was Herodias’ daughter danced in front of all who were invited to celebrate (lit. join-in-being-happy). Herod excessively enjoyed her dancing,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “However when Herodes’ birthday came, Herodias’ daughter, who was the daughter of Felipe, danced in the presence of the people who had been invited. It really pleased Herodes very much.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But there came that day on which Herod made a fiesta. The daughter of Herodias entered where the people were whom Herod had gathered for the fiesta, and she danced. Herod liked what the girl did.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 14:6

With verse 6 a shift in time and setting is indicated, and at least one new character is introduced into the narrative. For these reasons it may be helpful for the reader if a new paragraph is begun.

But indicates a contrast, but because of the way the sentence is constructed, it may seem that when Herod’s birthday came contrasts with the previous verse. The real contrast is between the fact that Herod did not feel he could put John to death (previous verse), and the fact that he eventually did just that on the occasion of the girl’s dancing at his birthday. Some translators have said something like “But finally he was able to do so…” or “But at the time of his birthday, he did. The daughter of Herodias danced….”

Herod’s birthday may more explicitly be described as “Herod’s birthday celebrations” (Barclay, Phillips). Some translators have said “When Herod had a feast to celebrate his birthday.”

The daughter of Herodias is presumably Salome, her daughter by her first husband, Herod Philip. As far as is known, Salome was the only daughter of Herodias. In translation, however, she should not be identified by name, since her name appears nowhere in the Gospel.

In some cases, to say simply danced will not be as well understood as “entertained the people there by dancing.”

The company are “all the guests” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Before the company may be translated “before all the people who had come for Herod’s birthday celebration.”

And pleased Herod is translated as a passive by Good News Translation: “Herod was so pleased.”

It may be more natural to restructure the whole sentence: “But at the time of his birthday, Herod did put John to death. The daughter of Herodias entertained the company with her dancing, and she pleased Herod very much.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .