fast (verb)

The Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated as “fast” in English is translated in Isthmus Mixe as “going without food to worship God” and in Lacandon as “leaving eating in order to talk to God.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

In Vidunda it is translated as “resting to eat.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (image)

The parable of The The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is illustrated for use in Bible translations in West Africa by Wycliffe Cameroon like this:

Illustration 1999 Mbaji Bawe Ernest, © Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. Used with permission.

complete verse (Luke 18:12)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 18:12:

  • Noongar: “Every week, I do not eat for one day, and I give you the right share of all my money.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “I, I fast two times in one week. And one-tenth from all my received-things/income I give to you (sing.), Lord.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Every week I fast twice and I give the tenth of all my income.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I refrain from eating twice in the week, and I give to you a tenth of all my wealth!’ he said.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because as for me, twice weekly I fast (lit. endure my hunger) and I also am giving you (sing.) the tenth of all my salary.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For as for me, twice a week I fast and I give the tenth part of all my income.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 18:12

Exegesis:

nēsteuō dis tou sabbatou ‘I fast twice a week.’ The present tense suggests habit. For nēsteuō cf. on 5.33. Fasting twice a week was more than the law required.

apodekatō panta hosa ktōmai ‘I pay tithes on all I get,’ i.e. on all my income. This was also more than the law required. apodekatoō (GOOD NEWS BIBLE) or apodekateuō (Nestle) ‘to tithe,’ ‘to give one tenth (of income, or profits) to God’; cf. also on 11.42.

ktaomai (also 21.19) ‘to procure for oneself,’ ‘to acquire.’

Translation:

Fast, see references on 2.37.

A week, or, ‘every week,’ ‘every seven days,’ or, following another calculation, ‘every eight days’ (Javanese).

I give tithes of … see on 11.42. Some descriptive renderings used here are, ‘I divide … in ten (parts) and bring one part to the Temple (Tae’ 1933), or, give-in-charity one-part-of-it’ (Toraja-Sa’dan).

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.