bread, loaf

The Greek term that is translated in English as “bread” or “loaf” is translated in Samo, it is translated as “Sago,” which serves “like ‘bread’ for the Hebrews, as a generic for food in the Samo language. It is a near-perfect metonymy that has all the semantic elements necessary for effective communication.” (Source: Daniel Shaw in Scriptura 96/2007, p. 501ff.)

In Chol it is translated as waj, the equivalent of a tortilla. (Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight)

John Beekman (in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 180f. ) explains: “The word ‘bread’ in Scripture primarily occurs as either a specific term for bread (including the Lord’s Supper), or as a generic term for food. It is not surprising, however, the some aboriginal groups use something other than bread as the staff of life. The Chols, with their cultural focus in the cultivation of corn, use waj, a type of thin corn flake. Since a meal is not complete without this main item of food, the term has been extended to include any other foods which may be served along with waj. While bread is known to them, its use is limited to a few occasions during the year when it functions as a dessert. In translating this term in the Chol New Testament, consistent use has been made of the word waj whenever the function of bread as a basic food was in focus. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life,” was thus translated with this word. If the word for bread had been used, it was feared that the Chol would compare Christ to the desirable, but not absolutely necessary, dessert.”

Robert Bascom adds his thoughts to this in relation to other Mayan languages (in Omanson 2001, p. 260): “In many Mayan languages, ‘bread’ can be translated waj or kaxlan waj. The first term literally means anything made from corn meal, while the second term literally means ‘foreigner’s waj,’ and refers to the local wheat-based sweet breads which are so popular within the broader European-influenced culture of the region. On the one hand, waj would be a better dynamic equivalent in cases where ‘bread’ meant ‘food,’ but in cases where the focus is literal or the reference well-known, kaxlan waj would preserve a flour-based meaning (though in biblical times barley was more in use than wheat) and not insert corn into a time and place where it does not belong. On the other hand kaxlan waj is not the staff of life, but refers to a local delicacy. In cases such as these, it is even tempting to suggest borrowing pan, the Spanish word for ‘bread,’ but native speakers might respond that borrowing a foreign word is not necessary since both waj and kaxlan waj are native terms that cover the meaning (though in this case, perhaps not all that well).”

In Mairasi it is translated bread tubers. Tubers are the main food staple and are therefore synonymous with food. (Source: Enggavoter 2004). In Yagaria, Kâteand Yabem it is translated as “taro cake.” (Source: Renck, p. 101)

Paul (icon)

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also Paul.

Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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

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

See also Paul (icon).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Paul .

complete verse (Acts 20:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 20:11:

  • Uma: “After that, he went back up going to the top, broke bread [into small pieces], and we (excl.) ate together. Paulus spoke further until it got light. After that he departed.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then he went up into the house again to break the bread (into pieces) and he ate. He still spoke to them until early morning and then he left with his companions.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Paul went up again into the house and he got some food and ate. He talked with them for a long time and when it was morning he left.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then Pablo again climbed-up and we (excl.) ate. After-we (excl.) -had-eaten then, he continued conversing until daylight, then we (excl.) left.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, we (excl.) went upstairs again and then just had something to eat. After eating, Pablo continued relating things to them. His talking reached sun-rise. And then he set out.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “Then Paul went up again. He ate. Then he continued talking with the believers until it dawned. Then he went.”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “Then Paul went up again. Then he celebrated Holy Communion, they thus ate. Then he talked more until morning. When it became morning he left.”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Then Paul went upstairs again. There they ate. When they were done eating, then they continued talking until morning. Then he left there.” (Note: this verse is taken either to refer to the Lord’s Supper, or to ordinary eating, or to both, or to a fellowship meal plus communion. Also can be Paul alone, or whole group.) (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Translation commentary on Acts 20:11

He of verse 11 is, of course, a reference to Paul. Naturally Paul did not eat by himself, but he is the central figure in the narrative and therefore is the one mentioned. Some commentators take broke bread as a reference to Paul’s participation in the Lord’s Supper, while they understand ate to refer to a meal beyond this. Others take the two verbs together to refer either to Paul’s participation in the Lord’s Supper or in the fellowship meal, or simply to the fact that Paul ate for the sake of nourishment before leaving. In light of the way that Luke uses the phrase “broke bread,” it seems likely that the reference is either to the Lord’s Supper or to the fellowship meal which was eaten in conjunction with it.

In order to avoid the implication that Paul ate by himself, it may be necessary to introduce some reference to those who evidently participated with him in this meal, “broke bread and ate with the believers.”

Until sunrise is taken by a number of commentators to mean the sunlight that comes a little before sunrise, that is, daybreak.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:11

20:11a–b

Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed: Luke wrote about Paul’s actions here, because Paul was the main character in Luke’s story here. But the context implies that the other believers also went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. They also talked with Paul until daybreak.

In some languages the context clearly implies those things. But in other languages the implied information must be included in the translation. For example:

Then he went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. ⌊The others did too.⌋ After talking ⌊with them⌋ until daybreak, he left.
-or-
Then he, ⌊along with the other believers,⌋ went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking ⌊with them⌋ until daylight, he left.

20:11a

Then Paul went back upstairs: Paul went back to where everyone was earlier. The believers who had gone downstairs probably also returned there. See the examples above.

broke bread, and ate: See how you translated similar words in 20:7.

20:11b

speaking: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speaking indicates that Paul and the believers talked with each another. For example:

continued to converse with them (New Revised Standard Version)

daybreak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as daybreak refers to the time when the sun rises. For example:

dawn (New Revised Standard Version)

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