elder (of the church)

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The Greek that is translated as “elder” in most English versions (“presbyter” in The Orthodox New Testament, 2000) is translated as “Old-Man Leader” in Eastern Highland Otomi (source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation November 1964, p. 1-22) and in Bacama as mi kpan-kpani vɨnə hiutə: “big/old person of house of prayer” (source: David Frank in this blog post ).

Other translations include:

  • “person who commands among the people of Jesus” in Lalana Chinantec
  • “old man who watches over the believers” in Morelos Nahuatl
  • “the one guarding the brethren” in Isthmus Mixe (source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • “old man who believes” in Sayula Popoluca
  • “person who cares for the assembly of Christ” in Rincón Zapotec
  • “person in authority among the brothers” in Central Mazahua
  • “supervisor of the creed” in Guhu-Samane (source for this and three above: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
  • “older person” with an implication of that being a leader-like person in Matumbi (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • “person who has taken on responsibilities in the congregation” in German (das Buch translation by Roland Werner, publ. 2009-2022)

The German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) chooses for the occurrences in Revelation the translation of Würdenträger or “dignitary.” Elsewhere (for instance in 1 Peter 5:1) it has “elders, your congregational leadership.”

See also elder (of the community).

Barnabas

The term that is transliterated as “Barnabas” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a combination of the signs for the letter B and “encourage” (referring to Acts 11:23). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Barnabas” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Barnabas (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also son of encouragement.

complete verse (Acts 11:30)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 11:30:

  • Uma: “and they gathered that money. After that, Barnabas and Saulus were entrusted by them to carry the money to the leaders of the followers of Yesus in Yerusalem.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Na, this is what the disciples of Isa there in Antiyok did. They sent money through Barnabas and Saul to the elders of the trusters there in Awrusalam.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And they did this and they sent Barnabas and Saul who were the ones to take the money there to the elders of the believers there in Jerusalem.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “and then they sent-it by Barnabas and Saulo so-that they would take it to the leaders of the believers in Jerusalem.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore they truly did give. And then they asked Bernabe and Saulo to be the ones to take it to the overseers of the believers in Judea.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 11:30

Though the Greek text has no specific reference to money, it is clearly implied in the context (see Dios Habla Hoy “offering”; Barclay “their contributions”). “The elders” are obviously the church elders. This is the first time that Christian elders are spoken of (see further 14.23; 15.2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16.4; 20.17; 21.18). In none of these passages, however, is there any indication regarding either the origin or the function of these elders. In speaking of the elders there is a tendency in some translations to imply only a designation of “old men.” This may not, however, be fully adequate for it suggests the leaders in the church rather than necessarily the older men, though of course there was a tendency for the leadership to rest with the older adult men in the congregation, even as in most societies. In most face-to-face societies there exists a relatively well-identified group of elder counselors who often act as a kind of consultative body for the chief. Such a term may be readily employed for this group of the individuals in the church.

By Barnabas and Saul is literally “by the hand of Barnabas and Saul,” which simply means “by means of” (see Barclay “through”). By Barnabas and Saul may be rendered as “Barnabas and Saul carried the gift” or “Barnabas and Saul took the money to Jerusalem.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .