OET interlinear MAT 12:7

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

but

Here, the word But introduces a further development of what Jesus has been saying about the Sabbath. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a development, or you could leave But untranslated. Alternate translation: “Now” or “In fact,”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-contrary

εἰ & ἐγνώκειτε τί ἐστιν, ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν, οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε τοὺς ἀναιτίους

if & ˱you_all˲_/had/_known what is_‹this› mercy ˱I˲_/am/_wanting and not sacrifice not would ˱you_all˲_convicted the innocent

Jesus is making a conditional statement that sounds hypothetical, but he is already convinced that the condition is not true. He has concluded that the Pharisee have not understood this quotation, because they have indeed condemned the innocent. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a condition that the speaker believes is not true. Alternate translation: “since you do not know what this is, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you have condemned the innocent”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τί ἐστιν

what is_‹this›

Here Jesus means that they should learn what the passage he is about to quote means. See how you translated this phrase in 9:13. Alternate translation: “what this means” or “the meaning of this passage”

Note 4 topic: writing-quotations

ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν

mercy ˱I˲_/am/_wanting and not sacrifice

Here Jesus introduces a quotation from Hosea 6:6, where God is speaking to the Israelites. Jesus has already quoted this verse in 9:13, so translate it exactly as you did there.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

τοὺς ἀναιτίους

the innocent

Jesus is using the adjective innocent as a noun in order to describe his disciples. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are innocent” or “my innocent disciples”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τοὺς ἀναιτίους

the innocent

Here Jesus means that his disciples are innocent of breaking the Sabbath laws. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “those who are innocent of breaking the Sabbath” or “those who have not disobeyed Sabbath laws”