complete verse (Acts 1:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:20:

  • Uma: “Petrus also said: ‘In the Book of the Songs of Daud, there are words that foretell Yudas. They sound like this: ‘Just leave his dwelling place empty for him. Don’t let there be even one person live in it.’ And there is also written like this: ‘It is better for his position [sitting-place] to be taken by another.’ ‘” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Petros said further, ‘There is a verse written in the holy-book Jabur saying, ‘His dwelling-place must be rejected/the back-turned-on. And nobody must/shall live there.’ And there is also another writing which says, ‘There must be another to take over his former work.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Peter said, ‘That which was prophesied was written long ago in the book of the Songs, and it says, ‘Go away and leave the place where he lives. It is necessary that no one lives there anymore.’ There is also a written word which says, ‘That which was given to him to do, have someone else do it.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Pedro continued saying, ‘What David wrote in the book Salmo was this: ‘May his house be left-untended and no one live there again.’ There is also something written that says, ‘May another person take-over his position.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘Well, this word of David is what I mean, which is contained in that writing called Mga Awit, ‘It’s necessary that his household be emptied of people and no longer lived in by anyone at all.’ And this also which is written, ‘It’s necessary that he be replaced in his position/responsibility.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

For the Old Testament quotes, see Psalm 109:8 and Psalm 69:25.

complete verse (Psalm 109:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 109:8:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let his days be numbered;
    let another person take his place of leadership.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May his life quickly come to an end.
    May his position be snatched away by someone else.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “May-it-be that his life not last-a-long-time and his work will- just -be-given to others.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Would you let his years to be few,
    and let someone takes his place.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Siku za uhai wake ziwe fupi,
    mwingine abadili mahali paake pa uongozi.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Then, cause that he will soon die
    and that someone else will have his job/work (OR, possessions).” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 109:8 - 109:10

In verses 8-9 the psalmist prays for his enemy’s premature death, with its devastating consequences on his family. In verse 8b “his job” (or New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “his position,” or New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Dahood “his office”) is one possible meaning of the Hebrew word; it can be taken to mean goods (Revised Standard Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) or “hoarded wealth” (New English Bible). In any case, the petition has in view the man’s death. This line is quoted in Acts 1.20b as it appears in the Septuagint (except for a difference in the mood of the verb “take”); the Greek word episkopē means “place of oversight,” “office.” (Because of the application of this line to Judas Iscariot in Acts 1.20, this psalm has been called Psalmus Ischarioticus.)

Verse 9 repeats the request for the man’s premature death, so that his children will become orphans and his wife a widow.

Verse 10 concentrates on the situation of the man’s children after his death. Line b in Hebrew is difficult to understand; it seems to mean “may they seek from their ruins”; New Jerusalem Bible takes it to mean “from their hovels … in search of [bread].” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “may they beg outside of their ruins.” But the majority, instead of the Masoretic text “may they search,” prefer to follow the Septuagint “may they be driven from” (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible); New English Bible manages to represent the Masoretic text by translating the verb “may they seek” by the noun “beggars,” and taking “from their ruins” to mean “driven from their ruins.”8-10 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project (“C” decision) stays with the Masoretic text. The whole line is then to be translated “and may they beg far from their ruins.”

It is uncertain what is the exact force of the ruins in this context; either it is their ruined homes, or else other ruins in which they are forced to live. The following verse makes the second choice the more likely one.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .