fall by the wayside

The now commonly-used English idiom “fall by the wayside” (meaning failing or falling behind at something) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 276)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

The Parable of the Sower (image)

The parable of The Parable of the Sower 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 (Matthew 13:4)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 13:4:

  • Uma: “In his sowing, there were some sowed-things that fell on the roadway [lit., eye of the road]. Birds came, they pecked it until it was gone.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “When he was broadcasting, some of the seed spilled onto the road. So-then the birds came and ate it.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And in his planting there was some that fell on the path, and this was eaten by the birds.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When he was broadcasting the seed, some fell on the path and birds were-pecking-it-up.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well since the way he planted was by scattering (seed), some got scattered on the pathway. As-soon-as-he-turned-his-back, he was succeeded by birds for they then ate it.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “As he went along sowing the wheat, some of the seeds landed on the path. Then birds went and ate the seeds.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 13:4

The parables reflect everyday life in first-century Palestine. For example, the typical way of sowing grain before plowing the field is accurately described in this parable. Moreover, a grain field would often have a path going alongside it or even through it (see Deut 23.25; Matt 12.1).

As we pointed out above, sowed can be “scattered the seed (on the fields).”

Along the path (so also Good News Translation) translates a Greek construction which may mean either “beside the path but not on it” (see New Jerusalem Bible “on the edge of the path”) or “on the path” (New English Bible “on a footpath,” Moffatt “on the road”). The present context also demands the meaning “path” or “footpath” (New English Bible) rather than “road” (Barclay, Moffatt). To translate “road” would imply that a passageway large enough for vehicles is involved, whereas the reference is to a narrow pathway through a field. This may have to be made explicit, as in “along the path through the field.”

The birds (so most translations) represents a literal rendering of the Greek text which has the definite article “the.” However, in many languages, including perhaps English, it is more natural to drop the article (New American Bible “where birds came”).

Devoured translates an intensive form of the verb “eat.” It is used, for example, of the dragon in Revelation 12.4. Note also its usage in Mark 12.40 and Luke 15.30. It means to eat greedily, or hungrily, or completely, or like an animal. To convey the intensity of devoured, Good News Translation has “ate it up,” and Barclay has “snapped them up.” Similarly many translators will look for some expression that conveys more than “ate,” perhaps “ate them all up.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .