persecute, suffer

The Greek that is often translated as “persecute” or “suffer” in English has the option of various terms in Luang with different shades of meaning.

For Acts 8:1 and 9:4, ramuki-rama’ala (“hit and kick”). This term refers to “physical persecution.”

For Acts 7:6, 7:19, 7:24, rnahora-rnala’a (“to send here-to send there”, “give the run-around”). This term is used when “emotional pressure or frustration is in focus.”

For Acts 20:23, kropna-kreut (“send here-there”). This term is used for “pushing people around, treating them as no better than a slave.”

For 2 Tim. 1:12, mola-ma’a (“make shame”). This term is used when “making someone lose face, generally with words.”

Source: Kathy Taber in Notes on Translation 1/1999, p. 9-16.

Saul's conversion (image)

Image taken from the Wiedmann Bible. For more information about the images and ways to adopt them, see here .

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complete verse (Acts 9:4)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 9:4:

  • Uma: “Down he fell, and he heard a speaker that said to him: ‘Saulus! Saulus! Why do you (sing.) persecute me?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Immediately he fell on the ground. Then he heard a voice speaking to him. The voice said, ‘O Saul. Saul. Why do you persecute me?'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And he fell down to the ground, and he heard someone saying, ‘Oh Saul, why are you ill treating me?’ And Saul said,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “and he fell-over. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Saulo, Saulo, why do you (sing.) persecute-me?'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He at once went-down-on-his-face on the ground and then he heard a voice speaking to him, which said, ­Saulo, Saulo, why are you doing like this, that you are persecuting me?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 9:4

In rendering fell to the ground it is important to imply that this is not from merely a standing position, but from a position mounted on a horse or mule.

In some languages one does not hear a voice. Rather, it is necessary to say “he heard someone say to him.”

In this context persecute may be rendered as “cause harm to me” or “cause me to suffer.” (See also 8.1.)

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 .