peace (inner peace)

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The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)


“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

See also peace (absence of strife) and this devotion on YouVersion and this one on Bible Gateway .

complete verse (Romans 3:17)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 3:17:

  • Uma: “They refuse to seek harmony.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They do not want to live peacefully/harmoniously.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They do not know about the peaceful custom.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They have not walked-on the path which leads to harmony and peace,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning how to bring about that people stop fighting, they do not know about this.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “They don’t even know how to live well together.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

Translation commentary on Romans 3:15 – 3:17

The Old Testament passages referred to in these verses are Isaiah 59.7-8 and Proverbs 1.16.

They are quick to hurt and kill renders a Hebrew idiom, which translated literally conveys little or no meaning for the average English reader (see New English Bible “their feet hasten to shed blood”). It may, of course, be necessary to specify the goal of hurting and killing—for example, “to hurt and kill people” or “to cause people to suffer and to kill them.”

Verse 16 describes further the evil things done by these people; a translation such as “ruin and misery lie along their paths” (New English Bible) leaves the reader doubtful as to whether this is something that these people do or something that happens to them. They leave ruin and misery must be translated in many instances as a causative: “they cause ruin and misery,” “they cause people to be destroyed and to suffer,” or “they harm people and cause them to suffer.”

Verse 17 must be taken to mean that these people never do anything to bring about peace with their fellowmen. Bringing about peace may be rendered as “cause people to know peace,” “cause people to live in peace with one another,” or “cause people to live together peacefully.”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:17

3:17

the way of peace they have not known: The phrase the way of peace is emphasized in this clause. In some languages it is more natural to have this phrase in its normal place. For example:

they have not known the way of peace

the way of peace: This phrase refers to how to live peacefully with others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the lifestyle of peace
-or-
the life of being at peace ⌊with others⌋
-or-
the path which leads to harmony and peace
-or-
to live peacefully/harmoniously

Note that the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as way is the same Greek word translated “wake” in 3:16. It helps show the contrast between the two ways of life. If possible, use way or “path” or “road” in both places.

General Comment on 3:15–17

These words are similar to the words found in Isaiah 59:7–8.

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