complete verse (Leviticus 7:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 7:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a person has eaten any blood, he shall be chased away from the people of God.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Any person who eats blood must be cut off from among his people.’"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Whoever eats blood, you (plur.) are- no-longer -to-consider under- your (plur.) -jurisdiction.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If anyone eats blood, he must no longer be allowed to associate with God’s people.’’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 7:27

Whoever eats any blood: a literal rendering as in Revised Standard Version seems to indicate a more general rule than is intended here. In this context the idea is more specific and closer to the Good News Translation translation “Anyone who breaks this law.”

Cut off from his people: see verse 25. In some languages it may be desirable to add a word to show the relationship between this case and the one mentioned in verse 25; for example, “will also (or, likewise) no longer be considered one of God’s people.” The addition of “likewise” or “similarly,” or “in the same way,” will indicate to the reader that the two cases are parallel.

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 .