2:11c
fell down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as fell down means “quickly lowered themselves to the ground to show great respect.” They did not fall down accidentally.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
knelt down (Good News Translation)
-or-
quickly lowered themselves
-or-
bowed down (New International Version)
and worshiped Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worshiped also occurs in 2:2c and 2:8d. This word usually includes the idea of kneeling or bowing down and putting one’s face to the ground to show great honor and submission. But in 2:11c, a separate Greek verb occurs first which indicates that the men “bowed down.” So you can translate this word as:
to honor him
-or-
to adore him
2:11d
Then they opened their treasures: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasures refers to a strong box used for keeping valuable things. For example:
treasure chests (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
treasure boxes (NET Bible)
If people in your area do not keep valuable things in boxes, you may want to translate this passage using another word. For example:
They opened their containers/bags
-or-
They unpacked their loads
2:11e
presented Him with gifts: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as presented means “brought, offered.” The wise men may have placed the gifts in front of or near Jesus.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
offered to him gifts
-or-
brought gifts to him
-or-
gave gifts…to him
gold: The word gold refers to a shiny, yellow metal that is very valuable. The wise men’s gold may have been in its unworked or unshaped state. Or it may have been formed into a shape or made into coins.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
⌊valuable/yellow⌋ metal
• Use a borrowed word.
• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:
⌊valuable⌋ metal called gold
frankincense: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as frankincense is a type of incense. It comes from the sap of several similar kinds of trees. People made the sap into a dry powder. Then they burned the powder to make a sweet-smelling smoke. They often did this as a part of worship.
Here are some other ways to translate frankincense:
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
⌊tree⌋ resin/sap burned for a sweet smell
• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:
sweet smelling ⌊tree⌋ resin/sap called incense
myrrh: The word myrrh also refers to a product made from the sap of a tree in Arabia. People made it into medicine and expensive perfumes.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
an expensive perfume
-or-
a sweet smelling oil
• Use a borrowed word plus a descriptive phrase. For example:
an expensive perfume called myrrh
-or-
myrrh ⌊tree⌋ sap ⌊made into perfume⌋
-or-
sweet smelling thing called myrrh
General Comment on 2:11e
You may want to explain “gold,” “frankincense,” and “myrrh” in a footnote instead of in the text. A sample footnote is:
gold: is a very expensive yellow metal. It is used as money and also in making jewelry.
frankincense: is an expensive product which is burned to give a sweet smell. It is made from the resin of several similar kinds of trees.
myrrh: is an expensive perfume made from the sap of a tree.
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