Pentecost

The Greek that is translated as “Pentecost” in English is translated in Huichol as “festival of the 7th week” It was rendered thus because the name of Pentecost would be equated with a sect only, and a harvest festival in late May would strain credibility. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Paul (icon)

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also Paul.

Ephesus

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Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also Paul (icon).

complete verse (Acts 20:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 20:16:

  • Uma: “Paulus had made up his mind from the start not to waste time stopping in at the town of Efesus so that we (excl.) would not be so long in the province of Asia. He wanted to speed up his trip, because the desire of his heart was to attend the big day Pentakosta in Yerusalem.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Paul’s decision was/Paul thought that he would not anymore stop-briefly at Epesus so that he would not be delayed there in the land of Asiya. Because he was hurrying to go to Awrusalam in order that he would be on time for the celebration of the Yahudi which they called Pentekostes.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Paul decided that we would pass by the town of Ephesus so that we would not have to spend a long time in the province of Asia. Paul was in a hurry because he wanted to arrive in the town of Jerusalem before the day of Pentecost. We left Mitylene and one night later we passed by the island of Chios, and one night later we passed by the island of Samos, and one night later than that we came into the town of Miletus.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “We (excl.) didn’t stop-by at Efeso lest we (excl.) be delayed there in the province Asia, because Pablo was in-a-hurry to arrive in Jerusalem so that if possible, he would arrive-in-time-for the fiesta called Pentecostes.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “It was like that because Pablo had already decided to by-pass Efeso. He wouldn’t stop by there for he didn’t want to delay any longer there in Asia. He was now in a hurry, for he really wanted to be able to arrive in Jerusalem before the Fiesta of Pentecostes arrived.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Translation commentary on Acts 20:16

Luke would have no doubt considered Miletus within the province of Asia, but Asia used in the present context probably refers to the city of Ephesus and to the regions around it. Not only would Paul have lost travel time going to Ephesus, but he probably understood how difficult it would be for him to get away from Ephesus if he actually went to the city where he had ministered for such a long time.

On the day of Pentecost see the comments at 2.1.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .