abomination

The Hebrew that is translated as “abomination” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “hated thing” and in Kwere as zitibusa which means “evil” but also something that causes horror or disgust and revolts people. (Source for both: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

in Ngambay it is nékɔb or “taboo.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also detestable in the sight of God and holy.

complete verse (Leviticus 18:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 18:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “A man must not commit a sexual sin by sleeping with another man. God hates such things.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’You must not have intercourse with men like [you do with] women. It is repulsive behavior [lit.: work]. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -have-sexual-intercourse with your (sing.) male fellowman/the-same- man -(as-you-are), for that (is) detestable/abominable.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘No man should have sex with another man; that is detestable.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 18:22

You: this is obviously addressed to the males among the Israelites. Consequently the word male later in the verse is to be translated “another man.”

Lie with … as with a woman: the idea of sexual relations between two men may be very difficult to express in some cultures, but the addition in Hebrew of the words as with a woman indicates that it may have also been difficult for the Israelites. The verb “to sleep with” is a more general term for sexual relations, and the addition of the comparison with sleeping with a woman makes the meaning clear.

An abomination: see the discussion under “wickedness” in verse 17. Good News Translation renders this dynamically with the phrase “God hates that.”

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 .