complete verse (Deuteronomy 28:41)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 28:41:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall bear sons and daughters, but they will not be yours, because they shall be driven to another country to become prisoners.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You will have sons and daughters, but they will not be with you, for they will be captured in battle and taken away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) will-have children, but they will- not -stay with you (plur.) for they will-be-taken-captive.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You will have sons and daughters, but they will not stay with you, because they will be captured and taken away.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 28:41

They shall not be yours … they shall go into captivity: the meaning is clear; while still young and living at home, their sons and daughters will be snatched from them by the enemy and taken away as prisoners of war.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• You will have sons and daughters, but your enemies will take them away as prisoners.

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 .