scripture

The Greek that is translated “scripture” or “scriptures” in English is translated as “God’s word which people wrote” in Guerrero Amuzgo (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125) and “paper writings” in Copainalá Zoque (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.).

While the term “Bible,” often used as a synonym, does not appear in the Bible itself, there’s an interesting translation of that word in Dehu. Missionaries had translated “Bible” as “Container of the Word” until they realized that this was also used for “penis sheath.” (Source: Clifford 1992, p. 87)

For other translations of scripture see all scripture is inspired by God and examined the scriptures.

complete verse (1 Corinthians 15:4)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 15:4:

  • Uma: “He was buried, and on the third day was brought back to life, as in written in the Holy Book.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “and after Almasi died, he was buried and on the third day he lived again from his death as was written in the holy-book.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I taught also that He was buried and within three days then, He rose from the dead. This also was explained long ago in the written word of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “He was buried and after that God made-him -live again on the third day according also to what God caused-to-be-written.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Also in fulfillment of this that is written, he was buried and made-to-live again on the third day.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Christ having died was entombed. But on the third day he resurrected, again he lived. And again it happened according to the word which is written in the Holy Book.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:4

In some languages he was buried needs to be rendered in the active voice as “they buried him.”

He was raised: the tense of this verb indicates that the consequences of this event remain in force. The use of the passive indicates that God raised Christ from the dead. In many languages this phrase can be translated as “God raised him to life.”

On the third day makes better sense than “three days later” (Good News Bible) in areas where people do not count inclusively. Both the day of the death and the day of the resurrection are included in counting the three days.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .