OET interlinear MAT 6:22

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός

the lamp ˱of˲_the body is the eye

Here Jesus describes the eye as if it were a lamp. Since Jesus develops this image in the following sentences, you should preserve the figure of speech or use simile form. The sentence could mean: (1) that the eye enables a person to see, just as a lamp enables a person to see. Alternate translation: “The eye is like a lamp for the body” or “Just as a lamp shines on things, so your eye sees those things” (2) that the eye receives light, which is like light from a lamp. Alternate translation: “The eye lets light from a lamp into the body” or “When a lamp sends out light, the eye receives that light into the body”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός

the lamp ˱of˲_the body is the eye

The words body and eye represent bodies and eyes in general, not one particular body and eye. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “The lamps of people’s bodies are their eyes”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

σου & σου

˱of˲_you & ˱of˲_you

Even though Jesus is speaking to many disciples, he is addressing an individual situation, so your is singular throughout this verse. But if the singular form would not be natural in your language for someone who is speaking to a group of people, you could use the plural form of your in your translation.

Note 4 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

ᾖ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου

may_be the eye ˱of˲_you

In this verse, the word eye is singular in form, but it refers to both of the person’s eyes as a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this plainly. Alternate translation: “your eyes are”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἁπλοῦς

healthy

Here, the word healthy could mean that the eye is: (1) functioning properly. Alternate translation: “sound” or “working well” (2) focused on one thing. Alternate translation: “focused” or “attentive to one thing”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου φωτεινὸν ἔσται

whole the body ˱of˲_you bright will_be

Here Jesus speaks as if the whole body were illuminated. Since this statement develops the idea of the lamp, you should preserve the figure of speech or use simile form. The clause could mean: (1) that the whole body experiences the benefits of the eye working properly. Alternate translation: “your whole body receives the benefits, as if the eye shone on the whole body” (2) that a healthy eye shows that the whole body is healthy. Alternate translation: “that shows that your whole body is healthy, as if it were illuminated by your eye”

Note 7 topic: translate-tense

ἔσται

will_be

Here Jesus uses the future tense to indicate that the body being illuminated is the logical result of the eye being healthy. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use whatever tense would be natural in a general statement like this one. Alternate translation: “is”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

φωτεινὸν

bright

Here, the phrase illuminated could mean that the body: (1) experiences light. Alternate translation: “full of light” (2) shines with light. Alternate translation: “shining with light”