Alpha and Omega

The Greek that is translated as “the Alpha and the Omega” in English, referring to the first and the last letter of the Greek alphabet is translated in German as “das A und O.” Even though the German alphabet does not end with the letter O, “das A und O” has become an idiom, that — like the Greek — refers to the end and the beginning.

the Beginning and the End

The Greek that is translated as “the Beginning and the End” in English is translated in the Swabian 2007 translation by Rudolf Paul as Åfang ond Ziel or “beginning and destination (or: “goal”).”

complete verse (Revelation 22:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 22:13:

  • Uma: “I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I am the first and I am the last. I am the beginning and I am the end.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I am the Alpha and Omega, which is to say, the origin and the ending of everything,’ said Jesus.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I am the one who is designated as Alfa and Omega, because I am the first and last. I also am the beginning-place and ending-place of everything.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Because I am the one who was first before all and I indeed will be at the very end. I am the one who created everything and under my authority is its conclusion/being-finished-with.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “The letter A until the letter Z are at the beginning and the end. But I already was living when all things began. And at the day all things are finished, I will continue living forever,’ he said.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega: see 1.8; 21.6; the first and the last: see 1.17; 2.8; the beginning and the end: see 21.6. All three phrases proclaim the same basic truth in three different ways.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .