large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 7:5

Their kinsmen belonging to all the families of Issachar were in all eighty-seven thousand mighty warriors: Their kinsmen refers to the relatives of the groups just mentioned in verse 4. Parole de Vie begins this verse clearly by saying “All the other men of the clans of Issachar….” As noted in the discussion on the previous verse, the relationship of verse 5 to what precedes is not clear. Good News Translation, for example, states that the total number of men eligible for military service was 87,000 for the whole tribe of Issachar. But Revised Standard Version seems to mean that the number 87,000 is the number for the kinsmen of those mentioned in the previous verses. That is, the number 87,000 is in addition to the numbers in verses 2-4. Some commentators think that the author of 1 Chronicles made use of lists from different time periods so that the numbers will not add up to make sense. In any case, the interpretation expressed in Good News Translation is probably correct and should be followed.

Enrolled by genealogy: Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente has “registered in the family lists,” and Moffatt says “by their genealogical records” (see the previous verse). Compare also “All of them were listed in their tribal genealogy” (New Living Translation) and “all included in the official genealogy” (American Bible). The enrollment probably was for military purposes, and the sense may be “enrolled for war” (see the comments on 1 Chr 4.33)

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .