OET interlinear ACTs 16:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

ἐγένετο δὲ

˱it˲_became (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγένετο Δέ πορευομένων ἡμῶν εἰς τήν προσευχήν παιδίσκην τινά ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα Πύθωνα ὑπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν ἥτις ἐργασίαν πολλήν παρεῖχεν τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη)

Luke is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Note 2 topic: writing-participants

παιδίσκην τινὰ ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα Πύθωνα, ὑπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν

˓a˒_servant_girl (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγένετο Δέ πορευομένων ἡμῶν εἰς τήν προσευχήν παιδίσκην τινά ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα Πύθωνα ὑπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν ἥτις ἐργασίαν πολλήν παρεῖχεν τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη)

Luke is using the phrase a certain young female slave to introduce this woman as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you could use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [there was a certain young female slave who had a Python spirit and who met us]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

πνεῦμα Πύθωνα

˓a˒_spirit Python

Luke is describing the spirit that enabled this woman to tell fortunes by association with the Pythian serpent that the ancient Greeks believed to have guarded the oracle at Delphi. This was not an actual god named Python; it was a demonic spirit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a spirit of divination] or [a demonic spirit that enabled her to tell fortunes]

Note 4 topic: translate-names

Πύθωνα

Python

The word Python is the name of a pagan god. However, Luke is using the name here by association to mean a demonic spirit of divination.