The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” or “brother and sister” (in the sense of fellow believers), is translated with a specifically coined word in Kachin: “There are two terms for brother in Kachin. One is used to refer to a Christian brother. This term combines ‘older and younger brother.’ The other term is used specifically for addressing siblings. When one uses this term, one must specify if the older or younger person is involved. A parallel system exists for ‘sister’ as well. In [these verses], the term for ‘a Christian brother’ is used.” (Source: Gam Seng Shae)
In Matumbi is is translated as alongo aumini or “relative-believer.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
In Martu Wangka it is translated as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower.”) (Source: Carl Gross)
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is often translated as Mitchristen or “fellow Christians.”
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:13:
Uma: “This Ananias came, visiting me, he stood beside me and said to me: ‘My relative Saulus, see again!’ In the blinking of an eye I could really see again and I saw him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “This Ananiyas came to me and stood beside me. He said to me, ‘Saul, you are my brother. You can now see again.’ Immediately I could see again,’ Paul said, ‘and I looked at him.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “He came near to me and he said, ‘My brother Saul, may it be that you can see again.’ And immediately my sight became bright and I stared at him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “He came and stood where-I-was. Then he said, ‘My brother Saulo, you (sing.) are/will-be-able-to-see again.’ And simultaneously my-eyes cleared-up, and I saw him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Well, when I was there now in Damasco, that Ananias came to me. When he arrived, he said to me, ‘Saulo, my brother in believing, you are reverting indeed to being able to see.’ As those words of his were ending, I was now truly able to see him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
The verbs came and stood in the Greek sentence structure are actually participles dependent upon the main verb said. As has been pointed out on other occasions, it is quite often necessary to render participial expressions in the Greek sentences by finite verbs in English translation.
The verb rendered see again in the statement of Ananias is also translated later in the same verse as saw again and looked. The commentators point out that it has the basic meaning of “to regain one’s sight” in both of its occurrences. However, inasmuch as in the second instance it is used with the phrase at him, it is necessary to render the verb both by “see again” and “look.” Both Moffatt and An American Translation* have done something similar: “I regained my sight and looked at him”; many other translators simply render “looked at.” At that very moment or “instantly” (New English Bible) is certainly the meaning of the Greek idiom “in that very hour” (Revised Standard Version).
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 .
‘Brother Saul,’: The name is after the term of address. In some languages it is more natural to have the name first. For example:
Saul, brother,
Brother: Ananias called Saul Brother because Saul was a fellow Christian. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to a true brother of Ananias. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates or implies “fellow Christian.” For example:
‘receive your sight.’: Here this phrase refers to seeing again. The phrase is often used in connection with healing those who were blind. Ananias spoke as a representative of God when he spoke to heal Paul’s blindness. Other ways to say this are:
see again (Good News Translation) -or-
regain your sight (New Revised Standard Version) -or-
you are/will-be able to see again -or-
may you see once more -or-
You can now see again.
22:13b
And at that moment: This phrase in Greek is literally “at that hour/time.” Here it means “immediately.” For example:
Instantly (New Jerusalem Bible)
I could see him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I could see can mean either “to see” (as in 22:13a) or “to look up.” Here it means both. For example:
I received my sight and saw him (Revised Standard Version) -or-
I saw again and looked at him (Good News Translation)
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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