complete verse (Deuteronomy 17:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 17:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, all the people will hear those words, and then they will become afraid so that they will never again show contempt.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hearing of this everyone will be afraid and from then on, not show contempt again.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When all the people hear this, they will-be-afraid, and they no-longer disobey again.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then after that person is executed, all the people will hear about it, and they will be afraid, and none of them will act that way any more.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 17:13

The death sentence will be a most impressive object lesson.

Hear, and fear: when the people hear what has happened, they will be afraid (see 13.11).

And not act presumptuously again: that is, will not dare disobey the Law. Good News Translation has “and no one else will dare to act in such a way.” However, we may use a positive statement as Contemporary English Version does: “they will be afraid and obey the decisions of the court.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .