scripture

The Greek that is translated “scripture” or “scriptures” in English is translated as “God’s word which people wrote” in Guerrero Amuzgo (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125) and “paper writings” in Copainalá Zoque (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.).

While the term “Bible,” often used as a synonym, does not appear in the Bible itself, there’s an interesting translation of that word in Dehu. Missionaries had translated “Bible” as “Container of the Word” until they realized that this was also used for “penis sheath.” (Source: Clifford 1992, p. 87)

For other translations of scripture see all scripture is inspired by God and examined the scriptures.

complete verse (Romans 11:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 11:2:

  • Uma: “God did not discard the people that he had already chosen from the first. Remember the story of the prophet Elia that is written in the Holy Book. Elia accused the Israel people to God, he said:” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “God did not turn-his-back-on/reject the people chosen by him at the beginning long ago yet. You (pl.) know what the holy-book says about Nabi Eliyas. He hep complained to God because of the deeds of the people of Isra’il.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for God, it’s not possible that He abandoned the people He chose long ago before anything was created. The reason He chose them, is so that they might be His subjects. We can understand this in the written word long ago about Elijah, because when he prayed to God because of the evil behavior of his fellow descendants of Israel, he said to God,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So I repeat to say that God has not turned-away-from his people whom he originally chose. Remember the story in God’s word concerning Elias. He complained to God because of what his fellow Jews were doing and said,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “God already before chose the Jews to become his children. Therefore he does not separate from them. Remember what is said in the Holy Book when Elijah accused the Jews, praying to God. He said:” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 11:2 – 11:3

In these verses Paul makes a formal denial of the question raised in the previous verse: God has not rejected his people, a statement based on Psalm 94.14.

Whom he chose from the beginning (New English Bible “which he acknowledged of old as his own”; Jerusalem Bible “the people he chose specially long ago”; An American Translation* “which he had marked out from the first”) translates the same verb rendered had already chosen in 8.29. As a comparison of the Good News Translation and An American Translation* with the New English Bible and Jerusalem Bible clearly shows, the question is whether this choice took place before history began or whether it was a choice made in the course of history even though long ago. If one adopts the interpretation of a choice before history, the closest equivalent may be “whom he chose before he created the world.” The alternative interpretation may lead to a translation such as “whom he chose long, long ago.”

The passage quoted in verse 3 comes from 1 Kings 19.10, 14. The last part of this quotation literally reads “they are seeking my soul,” which is merely a Semitic way of saying they are trying to kill me.

Passage may be rendered in some languages as “what the scripture says (in that part where Elijah pleads with God)” or “… (in the story where Elijah pleads with God).”

An equivalent of pleads may be “speaks strongly” or “speaks … and urges.”

Torn down may be translated as “destroyed,” “caused to fall down,” or even “smashed.”

I am the only one left may be rendered as “I am the only prophet who remains.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .