complete verse (Acts 22:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:2:

  • Uma: “When the people heard Paulus speaking in their own language, they quieted down even more. Paulus continued his speech, he said:” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “When they heard him speak in the Hibrani language, the more they did not make any noise. Then he said to them,” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when they heard that he was using the Hebrew language they really began to listen. And Paul said,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Upon their hearing that Hebreo is what he was speaking, they even-more became-quiet. And then Pablo went-on to say,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When they heard that Pablo was speaking in Hebreo-language, which was their own language, they all the more didn’t make a noise. Pablo then continued his speech, saying,” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 22:2

For the phrase in Hebrew see 21.40.

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 22:2

22:2a

Hebrew: Translate this word as you did in 21:40.

22:2b

they became even more silent: This clause in Greek is literally “they granted/showed more quiet.” It indicates that the crowd became quieter than before (21:40). Other ways to translate this clause are:

they were the more quiet (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they became even quieter (Good News Translation)
-or-
they listened more quietly (Revised English Bible)

The crowd became quiet probably because they were surprised that Paul spoke Aramaic.

Paragraph 22:2c–22:5

22:2c

Then Paul declared: The Berean Standard Bible adds the name Paul. The Greek verb only has the verb ending that indicates “he.” The context clearly implies that Paul spoke here. In some languages the correct verb ending or the pronoun “he” is all that is needed. For example:

And he said (Revised Standard Version)

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