The Greek in Acts 7:2 that is translated as “our ancestor Abraham” is translated in Chichimeca-Jonaz as “Father Abraham, the stalk we came from.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
The term that is transliterated as “Stephen” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that combines “S” and the sign for “stoned” or “rocks,” referring to Acts 7:58. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Stephen” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a signs for “see” + “heaven” + “open,” referring to Acts 7:55. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Greek that is translated as “my Father” in English is translated in Matumbi as Tati’ bangu’ or “my fathers.” “Our Father” is translated as “our Fathers” (and likewise “our ancestor” as “our ancestors”). Matumbi uses a majestic plural as an honorific when addressing parents. (Source: Tim Macsaveny)
The name that is transliterated as “Haran” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that depicts two hills that are at that location. (Source: Missão Kophós )
The name that is transliterated as “Mesopotamia” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a depiction of the two main rivers in the region (Tigris and Euphrates) and the meaning of the word “Mesopotamia” is “between two rivers.” (Source: Missão Kophós )
Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse, translators typically select the inclusive form (including Stephen and his listeners).
Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 7:2:
Uma: “Stefanus answered: ‘Relatives, fathers! Please listen to my words! Long ago, when our ancestors Abraham was still in the land of Mesopotamia, before he moved to the village of Haran, God who has great power appeared to that ancestor of ours,” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Estepan answered, he said, ‘My brothers and parents, listen to me. I will remind you about what our (incl.) forefathers did in the ancient-past/long ago. The God who is praised appeared hep to our (incl.) forefather Ibrahim when he was living in Mesopotamiya. He had not yet lived in Haran.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Stephen answered saying, ‘You, the elders and my brethren, listen to my words to you. Long ago our ancestor Abraham, the all-powerful God appeared to him while Abraham still lived in the land of Mesopotamia before he had transferred to the village of Haran.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Esteban answered and he said, ‘Brothers and elders, please hear what I say to you. Long ago, the honored/praised and dazzling God appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was staying in Mesopotamia when he had not-yet moved to go to Haran.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Esteban replied, saying, ‘My elders and brethren, please listen well to what I will say. God who is extremely praiseworthy went-to-see/meet our forefather Abraham, when he was still in Mesopotamia, not yet having moved to Haran.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
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