complete verse (Deuteronomy 5:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 5:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall be working six days,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For six days do all your work.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) work within six days,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “There are six days each week for you to do all your work,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 5:13

Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: this may be treated as a statement of fact, “There are six days in which to do your work,” or as a command, “Do all your work in six days.” What the Hebrew says is literally a command, but it is possible that it can be read as a statement, showing the special nature of the seventh day, the day of rest. Work here refers to work in general, such as daily business, the work one does to earn a living. Again the singular you may be changed to the plural if required.

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 .