high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “the ruler of the priests of our nation”
  • Chol: “very great priest” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “first over the priests”
  • Desano: “chief of the priests” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).
  • Uma: “Big Priest” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “high sacrificer” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Big leader of offerings” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Khoekhoe the translation for “high priest” is only capitalized when it refers to Jesus (as is Hebrews 2:17 et al.). (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also priest and chief priest.

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 24:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 24:1:

  • Uma: “Five nights after that, Big Priest Ananias and several Yahudi leaders went to Kaisarea with a person who was smart at speaking, his name Tertulus. When they arrived there, they went to Governor Feliks presenting their accusation.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After five days, Ananiyas, the leading priest, went to Kesarea together with a number of elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They went before the governor and they stated their accusation against Paul.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Five days after that, the High Priest went to Caesarea along with some of the elders and a lawyer whose name was Tertullus. They came before Governor Felix and they told him their charges against Paul.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When five days had gone, the highest priest and some of the elders arrived at Cesarea. There was also a lawyer whom they took-along named Tertullus. They all went to where-Governor Felix -was to file-charges-against Pablo to him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “After five days, the Most-important Priest Ananias arrived in Cesarea. His companions were the important tribal-leaders and Tertulo who was a lawyer. They then brought before the governor their case against Pablo.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 24:1

Five days later presumably is the time from the first interview that Paul had with Felix (23.34). Very little is known about Tertullus except that he was a lawyer acting in behalf of the Jews. He could possibly have been Roman, Greek, or Jewish. In verse 3, 4, and 6, by the use of we and our, he seems to identify himself with his clients, the Jewish people. On the other hand, in verse 2 he refers to “this country” (Good News Translation our country), and in verse 5 to the Jews, as if to imply that he was not one of the Jews himself. In the last part of verse 6 he does refer to our own Law but this part of the verse is not secure in the Greek text. All of this is to say that the identity of Tertullus is not definite, though the Good News Translation suggests that he was one of the Jews.

The term lawyer is not be understood in the sense of a “specialist in the Jewish law.” He was rather a “specialist in Roman law” or “an interpreter of the laws of the country.” In some languages, however, the term for lawyer is rendered as “an accuser of people” or, in other contexts, as “a defender of people.” In some instances some reference to the law may be attached to such words as “accuser” or “defender”—for example, “one who accuses according to the law” or “one who defends another using the law.”

Went to Caesarea in the Greek text is literally “went down,” but this is a normal term used when referring to travel from Jerusalem to some other city, and Caesarea is the city of destination.

Appeared before Governor Felix must be understood in the sense of “appeared before Governor Felix in court” or “stood before Governor Felix as he was judging the case.”

Made their charges against Paul may be rendered as “accused Paul” or “listed their accusations against Paul.”

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 .