he who, whoever

The Greek that is typically translated with a generic expressions such as “he who,” “whoever,” or “if anyone” in English is translated with the plural form (“they”) in Daga. “A literal translation of these conveys the idea that one specific unnamed individual is being dis cussed. Thus, for instance, in John 5:24 ‘he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life’ meant in Daga that there was one fortunate individual to whom it applied.”

See also love your neighbor as yourself.

complete verse (Luke 6:30)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 6:30:

  • Noongar: “If all people ask you for something, give to them. And when people take something of yours, don’t ask them to give one thing back.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “If there are those who ask-us-for-something, give it to them. If there are those who grab/take-away any of our stuff, don’t ask for it back.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Whoever asks you (for something), give him. And if someone takes all your things, don’t ask them back.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If someone begs from you, give him what he asks for. And if there’s a person who snatches away your possessions, don’t you take them back.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Give to all who request from you (sing.) and if someone takes your (sing.) possessions, don’t tell him to return it.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “What really is good is to give to the one who is asking from you, and if someone takes your belongings(s/pl), don’t go and get it back again.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 6:30

Exegesis:

panti aitounti se didou ‘to everyone who asks you give.’ That which is asked for and is to be given is not indicated and the clause is intended to be of the widest possible application, especially when compared with the more specific commandments of v. 29. aiteō ‘to ask’ does not have the connotation of requesting urgently or threateningly.

apo tou airontos ta sa mē apaitei ‘from him who takes away your possessions, do not demand (it) back.’ airō ‘to take away’ often has the connotation of taking by force.

apaiteō (also 12.20) ‘to ask back’ something to which one is entitled, as e.g. a loan or stolen property.

Translation:

The clause order in the first sentence may have to be reversed, ‘to everyone who begs, give’ (cf. Zürcher Bibel, Balinese); objects may have to be added, e.g. ‘if someone begs anything (from you), give it to him’ (Sranan Tongo, Tae’).

For to beg and to ask again. The participants are best taken as being of equal rank; in the case of the first verb an intention to give back is probably not implied. In some cases a shift to direct discourse is necessary, e.g. ‘say, “Give me (that), please” ,’ and ‘say, “Give them/my goods back (to me)” .’

Your goods, or, ‘your possessions,’ ‘what you possess.’

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.