9:17a

For: Here this word introduces a quote from the Old Testament that supports what Paul said in 9:16.

the Scripture says to Pharaoh: The Greek and the Berean Standard Bible use the present tense here, as in 9:15. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

the Scripture said to Pharaoh

the Scripture says: In some languages it is not natural for a book to “say” anything. If that is true in your language, refer to God speaking and his words are found in Scripture. For example:

⌊in⌋ the Scripture ⌊God⌋ says/said

Pharaoh: This title refers to the rulers over Egypt. Here it refers to the Pharaoh who ruled during the time of Exodus 9.

9:17b–d

“I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”: This is a quote from Exodus 9:16, with small differences. The English versions put quote marks on these words. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

9:17b

I raised you up for this very purpose: In the Greek, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for this very purpose is in front of the main clause to emphasize it. In some language, this might be normal. For example:

For this very purpose I have raised you up (English Standard Version)

However, other languages may need to place the words for this very purpose after up, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

I raised you up: Here the words raised…up refer to God causing this man to be king (Pharaoh) over the Egyptians. God also chose him to be hardhearted against the Israelites. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I made you king (Good News Translation)
-or-
I appointed you to rule

for this very purpose: The Greek is literally “to/for this (thing) itself.” Here it indicates that the purpose is stated in 9:17c–d. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

This is why (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
This is why I raised you up, ⌊namely,⌋ that…
-or-
That is the reason I raised you up. ⌊It is this:⌋ so that…

9:17c

that: Here this word introduces a purpose clause. Here are other ways to translate this word:

to (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
so that (Contemporary English Version)

I might display My power in you: Here the word in indicates that God would show his power by means of what Pharaoh did. Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, and so God did a number of miracles to show his great power. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

show my power through you (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
use you to show my power (Good News Translation)

9:17d

My name might be proclaimed: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊people⌋ might proclaim my name

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as proclaimed refers to telling many people publicly so that the news spreads far. Here are other ways to translate this word:

spread my fame (Good News Translation)
-or-
my name will become known in the many-towns/countries

My name: This refers to God but also implies the quality of person he is and what he has done. In some languages that must be made explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

my name ⌊and who I am⌋

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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