2:29

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:29 after 2:32. See the General Comment on 2:29–32 at the end of the notes on 2:32b for an example.

2:29a

Sovereign Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sovereign Lord means “master” or “lord.” This is what a slave would call his master.

This is a different Greek word than the usual word for “lord,” but the meaning is similar. You may use the same term as you use for “lord,” or you may use another term with a similar meaning.

as You have promised: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as You have promised is literally “according to your word.” This refers back to 2:26. At some time in the past, the Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Christ.

God fulfilled his promise that Simeon would see the Christ when Simeon saw Jesus.

2:29b

You now dismiss Your servant in peace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dismiss is literally “release” or “set free.” It is used in this clause as a euphemism, so that the clause means “you now allow your servant to die in peace.” Simeon implied that when the time came for him to die, he would die in peace. Simeon praised God with these words. The words do not imply that Simeon died that same day.

Some ways to translate this are:

• Use a euphemism in your language for dying. For example:

you are allowing your servant to leave in peace (God’s Word)

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

I am your servant, and now I can die in peace (Contemporary English Version)

now: The word now refers to that exact time when Simeon saw Jesus. Simeon felt that whenever he might die after that time, he would die satisfied.

Your servant: When Simeon praised God, he referred to himself as Your servant. In some languages, it may be necessary to express this in a different way to make it clear that Simeon was referring to himself. For example:

you now dismiss me, your servant, in peace
-or-
I am your servant, you now dismiss me in peace

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant also meant “slave.” This referred to someone who was owned by another person. He had no rights of his own and worked for his owner without receiving pay.

If the idea of slaves or servants is not known in your area, you can say:

I belong to you
-or-
you who own me

Simeon expressed humility and his desire to serve God by referring to himself in this way.

in peace: In this context the phrase in peace describes an attitude of calmness and contentment. Simeon could die in peace because he had at last seen the Christ. Some other ways to say this are:

⌊die⌋ happily
-or-
I am at peace

See peace, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

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