destroyer

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English typically as “destroyer” or similar is translated in the German Luther Bible 2017 as Verderber or “spoiler / corrupter.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)

complete verse (1 Corinthians 10:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 10:10:

  • Uma: “And don’t grumble, like some of them did, with the result that they died, killed by the killer angel.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Let us (incl.) also not complain about whatever God has ordained for us (incl.) as some did in those old times. Therefore they were killed by the angel who brought death.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Let’s not also complain quietly about the masters that God has given us, because this is what some of them did and there was at that time an angel which God sent to kill them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Moreover do not grumble, because that’s what some of them did, and an angel whom God sent killed them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Also do not reprimand/rebuke, like some of their companions also did, which had no other outcome than that they were wiped-out/exterminated by the exterminating angel.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Do not speak against God like some of our ancestors did. For them God sent his angel to kill those ancestors of ours.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:10

This verse seems to refer to the narrative in Num 16.41-50.

The form of this verse is rather different from that of verses 8 and 9. A different word for as is used. Also, according to the most probable Greek text, Paul changes from the first person plural, “we must not,” to the second person plural imperative, “do not.” Many Greek manuscripts level out this difference and use “we” throughout, as does Good News Bible. Revised Standard Version uses neither, perhaps avoiding a decision. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch uses “you” throughout verses 8 and 9, but there is no manuscript basis for this. Most translations keep the change of person and are probably correct.

As in other places, no attempt should be made to harmonize this verse with Num 16.41, which says that not only some of the people, but “the whole community,” complained.

Grumble usually refers to a repeated voicing of one’s extreme displeasure. In this context a more general term is needed that will cover any kind of grumbling. The modern English word “complain” does not seem to carry this component of repetitiveness. Some languages have special words that almost sound like the act of grumbling and can be used effectively here.

And: see the discussion in verses 8 and 9.

The Destroyer: in the Old Testament the Israelites are frequently said to have grumbled against Moses and thereby against God. But here the word the Destroyer is not found elsewhere in the Greek Bible. This suggests that Paul is thinking of a summary of Num 16 in Wisdom 18.20-25, where in verse 25 a related word is used. Less probable is a reference to Exo 12.23 (compare Heb 11.28), since in that passage the Destroyer attacks only the Egyptians. Most common language translations, also New International Version, Translator’s New Testament, Moffatt, An American Translation, Phillips, and Barclay, think that Paul is referring in this verse to a distinct “Angel of Death.” In Exo 12.23 the Destroyer is distinguished from “the Lord” (that is, God), but this is probably not so in 1 Corinthians, in Wisdom 18.20-25, and certainly not in Num 16.35, 45. In some languages it may be necessary to turn the passive verb into an active form: “The Angel of Death destroyed them.” In other languages where angel is normally expressed as “God’s messenger” or “heavenly messenger,” this final clause will be translated as “and the heavenly messenger whom God had sent destroyed (or, killed) them.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .