complete verse (Revelation 5:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 5:7:

  • Uma: “That Lamb walked over and took that rolled-up letter/paper from the right hand of him who Sits on his Seat.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then the Sheep approached the one sitting on the throne and took the rolled paper from his right hand.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Now the young sheep, He went near to the seat and He got the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The Sheep went to where the throne was, and he took the rolled-up paper from the right hand of the seated-one.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He who is referred to as that Young Sheep approached the one sitting on that king’s seat, for/and he then took hold of that rolled up writing which was held in the right hand of that one who was sitting.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “This Lamb went to take the paper which was held in God’s right hand where he sat.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 5:7

He went and took the scroll: in Greek the direct object the scroll does not appear until verse 8, “and when he took the scroll….” Care must be taken in translating the verb went so as to maintain the proper perspective. Some translations have “came” (Phillips, An American Translation, Translator’s New Testament, New American Bible, Revised), which reflects the point of view of God, on the throne; went reflects the point of view of the seer. The verb “approached” avoids the problem. The verb translated took does not imply force. Some translate “received” (see the same verb in 3.3), implying that God offered it to the lamb; but it is better to translate “took,” unless there is a problem. In some languages “took” will imply rudeness on the part of the taker. In this case one may say “received the scroll.” Translators should not be concerned as to how a sheep—an animal with hoofs, not hands—could take the scroll from God’s hand. The language is symbolic and figurative, occurring in a vision.

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 .