5:19a
an angel of the Lord: Here the word of indicates that the Lord sent this angel. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
an angel from the Lord God
-or-
an angel whom the Lord sent
angel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angel means “messenger.” It refers here to a spirit being who serves God. Sometimes God sends an angel to tell a message to human beings. He also sends angels to serve him in other ways. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:
messengers ⌊from God/heaven⌋
-or-
⌊good/holy⌋ spirit-beings
• Use a local word that fits the biblical meaning.
• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed word or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this word fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this word, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:
an angelos messenger ⌊from God⌋
-or-
a sacred angelos spirit
Be sure that your word for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.”
Lord: The word means “master,” or “the one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 5:14.
Here the word probably refers to God. Some languages must name to whom this Lord refers. If that is true in your language, indicate it refers to God. For example:
Lord ⌊God⌋
the doors of the jail: The word doors is plural because there was at least one (locked) door to their cell and one (locked) door to the outside of the jail.
5:19b
brought them out: This refers to taking the apostles out of the jail. In some languages only children are brought. If that is true in your language, use another word for the correct meaning. For example:
led them out (NET Bible)
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