silent / say nothing

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “silent” or “say nothing” in English is translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with two historical Chinese idioms: mòmò wúshēng (默默無聲 / 默默无声) or mòmò bùyán (默默不言), both “silent (lit. “quiet – no sound [or: words]”). (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also silent / still and silent

complete verse (Numbers 30:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 30:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “But if the husband says nothing from the day that he heard those words he has actually agreed with what his wife vowed or promised to do.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But if her husband remains silent, saying nothing day after day, all the vows or the obligation with which she bound herself will stand [lit.: remain]. Even though he heard, he remained silent, as if to say "good!".” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But if her husband did- not -hinder in that very day that when he found-out it, her husband allows/permits that she will-fulfill it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If he does not object for several days after he hears about it, she must do what she promised.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 30:14

This verse has the following chiastic structure to reinforce what it says (so Milgrom, page xxii; Sherwood, page 183):

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .