more than forty

The Greek that is translated as “more than forty” in English is translated as “about 45” in Isthmus Mixe. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 23:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 23:13:

  • Uma: “The amount of those who vowed, [was] more than forty.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They were more than forty who conferred/planned.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And these Jews were more than forty people that agreed to kill Paul.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When it was the next-day, there were more-than forty Jews who agreed-together to kill Pablo. They all vowed that they would not eat and drink until they had killed him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “The number of those who vowed that was more then forty persons.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 23:13

Note the number forty which reinforces the requirement in some languages to employ the expression “some Jews” in verse 12.

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 .