16:27a–c
he drew his sword: Here the word drew refers to removing a sword from its sheath (a container that covers the blade). For example:
he pulled out his sword (Good News Translation)
sword: A sword is a hand-held weapon. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal. The picture shows some of the various kinds of swords used at that time.
If people in your area are not familiar with swords, you may want to:
• Explain the word in your translation. For example:
long knife
-or-
cutting weapon
-or-
war machete/bush-knife
• Use the common language word.
was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped: The jailer probably decided to kill himself because he was ashamed that the prisoners escaped or he feared that the city officials would publicly humiliate him. The city officials probably would not have held him responsible because the earthquake caused the doors to open, but he had just woken up and was perhaps not thinking clearly.
In some languages the reason he was going to kill himself would be unclear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in a footnote. Some example footnotes are:
He thought about killing himself because of the shame of letting the prisoners escape. Or he may have feared that the city officials would publicly humiliate him or even execute him. Roman ideals allowed suicide as an honorable alternative.
kill himself: The jailer would probably have plunged his sword into his heart.
General Comment on 16:27a–c
The reason for killing himself is told after telling he wanted to kill himself. In some languages having the reason first is necessary or more natural. For example:
27aThe jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, 27che thought the prisoners had escaped so 27bhe drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
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