The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “adultery” in English (here etymologically meaning “to alter”) is typically understood as “marital infidelity.” It is (back-) translated in the following ways:
Toraja-Sa’dan: “to measure the depth of the river of (another’s) marriage”
North Alaskan Inupiatun: “married people using what is not theirs” (compare “fornication” which is “unmarried people using what is not theirs”) (source for this and all above: Bratcher / Nida)
The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )
In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”
Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)
Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 2:22:
Uma: “We say to others not to commit adultery, how about if we commit adultery! We say we don’t worship statues. If that is really the case, why is it that there are those of us who pilfer/quietly-take stuff out of the houses where those statues are put!” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “You command not to commit adultery-fornication but you indeed commit adultery-fornication. To you the images honored (by) people are forbidden/unclean/repulsive but you do not hesitate to go in to rob the prayer-houses where those images are.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You teach that it is evil to fool around with someone who is not your spouse; however, you fool around with those who are not your spouses! You are really disgusted with images which are worshipped by the people who are not Jews; however, you go inside of the house where those idols are worshipped so that you are able to steal.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “You also say, ‘Don’t commit-adultery.’ But is it indeed-the-case (RQ implying of course not) that you haven’t committed-adultery? Admittedly, you are revolted by idols (lit. imitation gods), but meanwhile you are also entering the temples where they are located to steal what is there.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “But if they say that the word is true which they teach to other people, how come then they don’t do according to the word they teach? They say it is wrong for people to steal. Whey then do they themselves steal? They say it is wrong for people to commit adultery, yet they themselves commit adultery. They say they do not approve of idols, yet they themselves steal the money collected at the church.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
In these verses Paul lists three sins which are also mentioned together in lists compiled by Jewish teachers: theft, adultery, and idolatry. The verbs teach and preach would refer to a context of a teaching and preaching situation, while the verb say should probably be understood as referring to a context of exegesis or interpretation.
In a number of languages the contrast between the four statements You teach … You preach … You say … You detest … and the following questions cannot be treated in the same way as in the Good News Translation. The contrast must be preserved, but this can be done in other ways—for example, “you teach others but you ought to teach yourselves; you preach that people should not steal but you yourselves steal”; etc.
A translation of commit adultery should normally be the most general expression for illicit sex relations. In some languages this becomes quite specific and is often male oriented—for example, “you say, Do not sleep with other men’s wives.”
You detest idols may be translated as “you speak strongly against idols” or “you denounce those who worship idols.” It is possible that in some languages there is no clear connection between the idols and their temples. It may, therefore, be necessary to say “you strongly denounce idols, but you rob buildings in which idols are kept” or “… buildings in which people worship idols.”
The verb rendered rob temples (so most translations) may be taken in a more general sense, “to commit an irreverent act towards a holy place” (Phillips “how honest are you towards the property of heathen temples?”) It is extremely doubtful that this word should be taken with the meaning “to hold back one’s gift from the (Jewish) temple.”
God’s law (v. 23) is literally “law,” but the reference is to the law which God have the Jewish people. The Good News Translation makes this identification explicit (note Jerusalem Bible “the Law”), in order to bring out the evident contrast with the statement that follows: but do you bring shame on God by breaking his law?
Bring shame on God may be rendered as “cause people to have disrespect for God” or “cause people to speak against God.”
In many languages one cannot “break a law.” One may, however, “disregard a law,” “refuse to obey a law,” or even “untie a law.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
You who forbid adultery: The Greek is literally “not to commit adultery.” It indicates a general command for people not to commit adultery.
adultery: This word refers to having sex with someone to whom you are not married.
In some languages people will want to use the polite expression to refer to this deed in this book. This might be an idiom. For example:
lie/sleep with someone who is not your wife or husband
2:22b
do you commit adultery?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should not commit adultery. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
but do you commit adultery? (Good News Translation)
• As a statement. For example:
you yourself commit adultery
-or-
maybe it is you who commits adultery
2:22c
You who abhor idols: The word abhor means to hate and turn away from something, because it is so bad. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
You detest idols (Good News Translation)
-or-
you treat idols with disgust (God’s Word)
-or-
You hate idols (New Century Version)
idols: An “idol” is a statue or other physical representation of a god. It is something before which someone could worship that god.
2:22d
do you rob temples?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should not rob temples. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
but do you rob temples? (Good News Translation)
• As a statement. For example:
you yourself rob temples
-or-
maybe it is you who rob temples
It is likely that Paul meant this literally, since there are a few stories about Jews going and stealing valuable things from temples of pagan gods. But Gentiles thought this was a really bad crime, as bad as killing people.
temples: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temples refers to buildings where a god is worshipped. Greek temples usually had a statue of the god and an altar. Some languages do not have a word for this meaning. If that is true in your language, explain the meaning in the text. For example:
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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