attentive

The Hebrew in Nehemiah 8:3 that is translated as “(listened) attentive(ly)” in English is translated in Newari as “gave their ears” (source: Newari Back Translation).

complete verse (Nehemiah 8:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 8:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “Thereafter, Ezra read those laws to the people in the open field where they used to sit in front of the Water Gate. He read for them from morning till afternoon. People listened attentively to what was written in the law of Moses.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore that day, the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before/[lit. in front of] the people — males, females, and children who have now understanding. He read it aloud to them from the rising of the sun till noon, there in the plasa which is in front of the Gate Going to the Water. All the people listened carefully/[lit. good] to the Book of the Law.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “He read-aloud in front of the people in the plaza in front of the entrance that was called Water. He began to read-aloud when it was-light until noon (lit. until it centered) and all the people persisted in listening.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “So he brought it out and read it to the people. He started reading it early in the morning and continued reading it until noontime. All the people listened carefully to the laws that were written on the scroll.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 8:3

Verse 3 is a summary of the full event that is described in detail in the following verses 4 to 8. This pattern of summarizing an event first and then of recounting it in detail is characteristic of Hebrew narrative style. Translators should be careful that this narrative style does not confuse the sequence of events as the details are given in the next verses.

He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate: The Hebrew expression for facing the square is interpreted differently by various versions. Logically, it could mean that Ezra was turned toward the square where the people were gathered and that the square itself was located facing or in front of the Water Gate (so Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Nouvelle version Segond révisée says that he read “in front of the square that was in front of the Water Gate.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says that he read “in the square that was in front of the Water Gate” (similarly Good News Translation). Translators should express the meaning that “he read the Law in the square before the Water Gate.”

From early morning to midday: This can be expressed in various ways, for example, “from daybreak [or, dawn] until noon [or, the middle of the day].” Translators should use a natural expression in the receptor language, such as “from the first light until midday” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “from the cutting of the dawn to the overhead sun.” Expressions that are anachronistic should be avoided, for example, “from 6 o’clock until 12 o’clock noon.”

The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law: This is a figure of speech referring to the people as they were listening to the reading of the Law. Good News Translation expresses this in contemporary English. Bible en français courant translates similarly in French: “All listened attentively to this reading.” Many languages have a similar expression that should be used; for example, “the ears of all the people were on the book of the Law” or “… were turned toward the book of the Law.” The expression should imply a positive action and not have a negative connotation like “they strained their ears to hear….”

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .