survive / escape / save

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “survive,” “escape,” “save,” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) in these verses with pulumuka, describing someone whose life was in danger but who has freed himself or herself. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (2 Chronicles 36:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 36:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “The people who escaped death during the battle were caught and brought to Babylon to become slaves of Nebuchadnezzar and the other rulers of Babylon until the rulership of Persia began.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those who were spared from the sword he took off to Babylon. There they were servants of the king and his descendants until the land of Persia came to power.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Nebuchadnezzar took-captive to Babilonia the Israelinhon who did- not -die, and they became his slaves and to his children until the kingdom of Persia came-to-power.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers took to Babylon the remaining people who had not been killed with their swords. Then those people became the king’s slaves and his son’s slaves, until the army of the king of Persia conquered the army of Babylonia.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 36:20

He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword: He took into exile translates a single verb in Hebrew meaning “to deport.” See the comments on 1 Chr 5.6, where this verb is rendered “carried away into exile.” Those who had escaped renders a Hebrew noun meaning “the remnant.” But Revised Standard Version conveys its sense well in this context. The reference to the sword is not to be taken literally. This word is often used to refer to warfare in general, which is true here. So those who had escaped from the sword may be rendered “those who did not die in battle,” “the people who were left alive” (New Century Version), or “the survivors” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Unlike the account in Jer 52.28-30, the Chronicler claims that all survivors were taken into exile in Babylonia.

And they became servants to him and to his sons: In this context sons refers to “descendants” (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).

Until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia: The word establishment translates a Hebrew infinitive meaning “to rule.” It may be better expressed as a verb in some languages; for example, New International Version and New Living Translation render this whole clause as “until the kingdom of Persia came to power.” Parole de Vie is similar with “until the kings of Persia took control.” The kingdom of Persia defeated the Babylonians in 539 B.C. This empire came to cover territory from India in the east to Ionia in the west.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .