Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:25

Good News Translation has a stanza break here, but not Revised Standard Version. Since this verse is closely connected with the previous verses, there should not be a break here.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised …: This verse explains why all peoples should praise the LORD and proclaim his marvelous works. For translates a Hebrew conjunction that introduces the grounds for the exhortations. This Hebrew conjunction is left implicit by Good News Translation, but in many languages an explicit connector will be required. The passive expression greatly to be praised will have to be made active in some languages. If so, some possible models are “[he] deserves our greatest praise” (Contemporary English Version) and “people should praise him very, very much.”

And he is to be held in awe above all gods: Nearly all versions take the Hebrew of this line to mean that people should hold God in awe more than they hold other gods in awe. But New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “He is held in awe by all divine beings.” To be held in awe translates a Hebrew verb that is often rendered “to be feared.” English makes a distinction between God, with a capital “G,” and god, with a small “g.” The word gods refers to supernatural powers that are recognized as existing, but inferior to Yahweh. Therefore translators should not render gods by a term meaning “evil spirits” or “demons.” Nor should they use the term for “angels” or “God’s messengers.” In some languages gods may be called “strong spirits,” “little gods,” or “spirits that are not the great spirit.” Berkeley translates “so-called gods” (see the next verse, which says that “all the gods of the peoples are idols”). Possible models that render this line as an active expression are “we should honor and respect him more than all the gods,” “[he is] more awesome than any of the gods” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “and awesome is he, beyond all gods” (New American Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments