complete verse (Deuteronomy 20:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 20:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “The leaders should continue to ask the soldiers, ‘Which man is there who is afraid and his stomach churns? If there is (one), let him return to his home. Do not let it cause the other people to fear like them.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the captains are also to speak to the men like this, "If there is anyone here who is a afraid and worried he may go back home. For, because of him, the hearts of others in his unit may be discouraged."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘The officials will- still -say, ‘If there is one among you (plur.) who is afraid or frighten, let- him -go-home for including his companions might be-frightened too.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘hen the officers must also say, ‘If anyone among you is afraid or timid , he should go home, in order that he does not cause his fellow soldiers to also stop being courageous.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 20:8

This last question seems to have been added to the original three. It is of a general nature, and the introduction to the question is fuller. Those who are afraid are told to go back home, because their fear might spread and infect the others.

Will speak further to the people: that is, they are to ask one more question of the men [or, troops].

Fearful: this is the common word “to be afraid.”

Fainthearted: as in verse 9.

Melt as his heart: this is a fairly common idiom, meaning to become afraid. Having a heart that “melts” means that a person loses courage, or nerve.

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 .