Gender in Translation

Overview

Gender has been generally translated literally throughout the UPDV. The following guidelines describe how various gendered terms are distinguished, recognizing that context will generally dictate interpretation.

Old Testament Usage

Man, of man, from man, etc. — When used in its plain form, this generally refers to mankind, humans, or people, without necessarily indicating male or female.

Common man — Used in a similar manner, but generally refers to ordinary man as a class, also known as commoners.

A man, any man, this man, men, etc. — These generally refer to one or more of the male sex of man, or a group which may at least partially consist of males.

[Able-bodied] men, [prominent] men, etc. — This is based on a Hebrew word which focuses on a special type of strength, such as might, capability, being a soldier, being in one's prime, age, nobility, leadership, wisdom, or other such qualities. The quality referred to is somewhat interpretive based on the context and is placed within brackets. See Exodus 10:11 for an example.

A woman, any woman, this woman, women, etc. — These generally refer to one or more of the female sex of man, or a group which may at least partially consist of females.

Sons and daughters — These are generally retained and can mean either literal descendants or something else as indicated by the context.

He, she, and other such references — These are generally retained and unchanged from the ASV.

New Testament Usage

The current usage of gender in the New Testament is similar to the Old Testament. However, due to differences between the languages and styles, not all of the same distinctions are present. Context will generally dictate the interpretation.