complete verse (Leviticus 23:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 23:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Make a meeting for prayer on the first day and do not do any work.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “On the first day you must hold a sacred assembly. On that day is not OK for you to do any regular work at all.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “On the first day of this feast, [you (plur.)] do- not -work but-instead [you (plur.)] gather to worship the LORD.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “On the first day of that festival, you all must stop your regular work and you must gather together to worship me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Leviticus 23:7

The first day: that is, on the first day of the week of celebration, not the first day of the month or year. It is probably a good idea to make this explicit in translation; for example, “On the first of these days” (Good News Translation).

A holy convocation: see verse 3.

Laborious work: there is an additional word qualifying work here that is not found in verse 3 above but does occur later in this chapter in verses 8, 21, 25, 35, and 36. Some see it as referring to especially difficult work: “hard work” (An American Translation), “heavy work” (New Jerusalem Bible), “field work” (Moffatt). On the other hand, some scholars take it to mean ordinary occupations: “regular work” (New International Version), “daily work” (New English Bible and Good News Translation), “work at your occupations” (New Jerusalem Bible). Probably the latter is to be preferred. In this case some languages will have to say something like “the work that you usually do every day.”

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 27:3-7

The organization of this whole passage from verse 3 through verse 7 may be radically altered according to the receptor-language habits regarding such lists. In some cases it may even be appropriate to number the eight different categories listed here. And in many languages, the reduction of repetition will be required. In other cases this information may be presented in table form.

According to the shekel of the sanctuary: the term shekel itself refers to a weight or a coin weighing from 8 to 16 grams. Since there was such variety in its weight and value, it was necessary to set up some kind of official standard. Thus this whole expression refers to that standard. New English Bible translates “the sacred standard,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “by the sanctuary weight.” In some languages it may be advisable to say something like “according to the measure decided by the priests.” Compare 5.15.

Because the value of various currencies in the world is constantly changing, it is not a good idea to try to fix an amount in the local currency of the receptor language. Rather, it is preferable to use a more general term like “pieces of silver” that will convey the idea of something of considerable worth without setting a specific value. The use of different figures from 3 to 50 will then give some idea of the relative value of the different types of persons involved. If the term shekel is borrowed in the receptor language, it must be clearly explained in a footnote or a glossary entry. However, borrowing is not recommended.

It should be noted here that in contrast with the situation described in 25.49-52, the value of the person is not based on the number of years work he or she might be expected to do in the sanctuary. The lower amount given for the female in each case reflects the cultural attitudes of the ancient Israelites.

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 .