1:21b
you are to give Him the name Jesus: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are to give Him the name Jesus means “name him Jesus.” This clause is future tense with the force of a command. Some languages may be able to use the future tense in the same way. Other languages will need to translate this clause simply as a command.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
name him Jesus (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you are to name him Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you must name him Jesus
Jesus: The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua.” This Hebrew name means “the Lord saves.” In order for people to understand 1:21c, they must understand the meaning of Jesus.
Here are some ways to explain the meaning:
• Include the meaning in your translation. For example:
you will name him Jesus (which means the Lord saves)
• Put the meaning in a footnote. A sample footnote is:
The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.”
1:21c
because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the basis for the angel’s command to name the baby “Jesus.” The name “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” Joseph should name him Jesus (the Lord saves) because he will save his people. The name Jesus fits his purpose in life.
In some languages, it is more natural to put 1:21c before 1:21b. See the General Comment below for translation advice.
He: The pronoun He is emphasized in Greek. If there is a natural way in your language to emphasize this pronoun, you may want to do so.
Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:
it is he who (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
he is the one who (New Jerusalem Bible)
will save His people from their sins: The word save refers to rescuing from harm. Sinning separates people from God, but Jesus rescues believers from that separation and brings them back to God.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
deliver/rescue his people from their sins
-or-
liberate his people from ⌊the guilt and power of⌋ their sins
His people: The phrase His people refers to the people of Israel. Do not translate this phrase simply as “people.”
Another way to translate this phrase is:
his own people
from their sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.
Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:
(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip and greed are also sins.
(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.
Here are some other ways to translate sins:
Wrong acts
-or-
evil/bad deeds
-or-
offenses ⌊against God⌋
General Comment on 1:21b–c
In some languages, it is more natural to have the basis of the command (1:21c) before the command (1:21b). For example:
21cHe will save his people from their sins, 21bthat is why you shall name him Jesus.
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