complete verse (Leviticus 18:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 18:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not sleep with your grandchild whether (she) is from your son or your daughter because that is a sexual sin.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’Do not have intercourse with a daughter born to your son or your daughter. Doing this will cause you to feel your own shame. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -have-sexual-intercourse with your (sing.) female grandchild, for this would-bring shame on you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Do not have sex with your granddaughter, because that would disgrace you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 18:10

Your son’s daughter or … your daughter’s daughter: in English, these expressions may be summed up with a single term “granddaughter.” This may also be the case in many other languages. But in those cases where there exist different terms for a granddaughter born through a son and one born through a daughter, both terms should probably be used in the translation of this verse.

Their nakedness is your own nakedness: the meaning of this expression is uncertain, but probably it suggests something like “for that would ruin your own reputation,” or “to do that would be dishonoring to you” (compare Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version), or “for that would be a disgrace to your own family” (New American Bible).

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .