kingdom (of God / heaven)

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The German Good News Bible (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) (1st edition: 1968, latest edition: 2018) says this about the translation of the Greek expressions that in English are often translated as “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” respectively:

“An example for how a term evolved is the rendering of ‘heavenly kingdom’ or ‘kingdom of God.’ A verbatim translation will be misunderstood by most readers today: as if it talks about a kingdom that is located in heaven, when in reality it refers in the Bible to God being the ruler, to that area in which that rule has been realized and everything that human beings can expect because of that. Dependent on the context, the term is therefore translated differently in this present version: When it focuses on the presence of God’s kingdom it is rendered as ‘God establishes his rule’ (Gott richtet seine Herrschaft auf), when the focus is on the future it is translated as ‘Once God finalizes his creation (or ‘work’) . . . ‘ (Wenn Gott sein Werk vollendet . . .), and when the focus is on that finished creation it is ‘God’s new world’ (Gottes neue Welt).” (p. 299 — for a longer exposition, see Rudolf Kassühlke in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 236ff. )

The respective translation choice in that German translation:

Likewise in the Gurung translation the term was also, depending on context, rendered in four different ways:

  • God’s power at work in the world,
  • the personal response to God, in obedience and receiving blessing,
  • God’s future open ruling of the world,
  • the ultimate blessings of God’s rule in heaven.

(Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff. — here you can also find a comprehensive list of examples where which translation was applied.)

Following is a list of (back-) translations from other languages:

  • Tzeltal: “persons like these will reach God’s government” (as in Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16: “the Kingdom of God belongs to those”) or “the jurisdiction of God” (in the sense of where God has the authority)
  • Copainalá Zoque: “like God to rule over”
  • San Miguel El Grande Mixtec: “agree to God reigning over”
  • Kekchí: “power (or authority) of God”
  • Laka: “God’s commanding”
  • Javanese: “the rule of God”
  • Huave: “where God rules”
  • Huastec: “God as ruler”
  • San Blas Kuna: “God’s government”
  • Navajo (Dinė): “what God has charge of”
  • Sayula Popoluca: “to have God rule over”
  • Tzotzil: “to have God as chief”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “the leadership of God”
  • Wayuu: “where God is chief” (this and examples above in Bratcher / Nida)
  • Fuyug “God’s clan”
  • Mono: “sana lala’aha nang” — “area of chiefly rule”
  • Martu Wangka: “The Father looks after his own relatives” (source for this and the two preceding: Carl Gross)
  • Kâte: uucmaŋ, “a parabolic expression actually denoting the leaves of the breadfruit tree closing around the fruit to protect it (see here ).”
  • Yagaria: Souve beite’na, lit. “Lord- (orig. war chief) being” (source for this and above: Renck, p. 104)
  • Caribbean Javanese: Kratoné Allah (“God’s seat [of a king]”)
  • Sranan Tongo: Tiri fur Gado (“the Ruling of God”) or Kownukondre fur Gado (“King’s land of God”)
  • Eastern Maroon Creole: A Nyun Tii fu Massa Gadu / Saramaccan: Di Njunjun Tii u Gadu (both: “the New ruling of God”) (source for this and 2 above: Jabini 2015)
  • Umiray Dumaget Agta: “protectorate of God” (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Lalana Chinantec: “how God is the boss of people’s hearts”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “God rules as chief”
  • Chuj: “everything which is in God’s hand” (source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Kamo: kuu le Yamba: “kingdom of God” / kuu le Yamba: “kingdom of heaven.” Yamba can mean either “sky/heaven” or “God” and they distinguish between the two meanings by capitalization. The word kuu is an abstract noun meaning “rule/reign.” (source: David Frank)

In Mairasi, a language “where people would rather say something in a new way than in an old way,” there are a number of translations, including “Great Above One’s (=God) rule,” “His power,” “His control,” or “His place of authority/power.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

In Q’anjob’al, the translators stumbled on an additional difficulty. Newberry and Kittie Cox (in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 91ff. ) explain: “‘The kingdom of God’ may be translated ‘where God supervises’ (or literally ‘guards’). However, in Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17 it is not possible to speak of ‘receiving the kingdom of God,’ for this would imply that one simply takes over the responsibility for guarding God’s country while He rests. Accordingly, the translation is adapted to meet the cultural and linguistic requirements of the language by the form ‘receive God as king.’

In British Sign Language it is translation with a sign that combines the signs for “God” and “rule.” (Source: Anna Smith)


“Kingdom of God” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

The artist Willy Wiedmann envisioned Jesus foretelling the kingdom of God like this:

Click here to see the image in higher resolution. Image taken from the Wiedmann Bible. For more information about the images and ways to adopt them, see here . For other images of Willy Wiedmann paintings in TIPs, see here.

See also your kingdom come and kingdom of God (Japanese honorifics).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven .

complete verse (Luke 10:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 10:9:

  • Noongar: “heal the sick people of the house and tell people, ‘The Kingdom of God has come close to you’.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Heal the sick in the town, and say to the townspeople: ‘The time has come for God to become King in your midst.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Heal the sick people that are there and say to the people, ‘God’s rule is come/reached here to/with you.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Heal the sick in that village, and you tell all the people there that the time of God to rule them is very near.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “heal the sick, and tell the residents there that God’s ruling them is near.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Heal those who are ill there, and say to the people of the town, ‘The kingdom of God is close to you now.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: “. . . You have had the opportunity to see God’s powerful works.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)

complete verse (Luke 11:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 11:20:

  • Noongar: “No! I drive out evil spirits because of God’s great power. So you can see that the Kingdom of God is coming to you.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “But I, I expel demons with the power of God. From that, you know for certain that the time has come for God to become King in your midst.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But the truth is, my power to drive out demons is really from God. This means that God is already ruling here among you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because this power that I use to drive away demons comes from God, and by means of this, you can tell that this already is the time for God to rule.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because the truth of it is, God is the one who gave me my power to cause-evil-spirits -to-leave, and that’s how-you -will-know that God’s ruling you has arrived.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, now, if I drive out evil spirits by the strength of the supernatural-power of God, isn’t it so that this means the kingdom of God has arrived here with you?” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: “But since I drive out demons by the hand of God you should know that God’s power has come among you.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff. )
  • Suba-Simbiti: “But, the authority of God is indeed what causes me to chase demons, therefore this shows that the kingdom of God has arrived among you.” (Source: R.M. Mészároš in Journal of Translation 18/2022, p. 115ff. )

complete verse (Luke 12:31)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 12:31:

  • Noongar: “So await happily the day when God will be King and he will give you all these things.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “We must submit to God so that He is our King. If we do that, he will also give us the rest [lit, the other].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But that is what you should be thinking about, about God’s ruling and about following his wishes. Then he will give you all this that you need.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “What you must do, is to obey that which God has given you to do; He is the one who rules over you and he will give to you all that you need.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Therefore you should concentrate your thoughts on God’s ruling, and he will also give you these-things.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore make sure that you are submitting to God, that his will is what you are persevering to do. And then he will give you these which you need.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: “Instead, obey God, and then you will receive eating, drinking, all things, as well.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)

complete verse (Luke 12:32)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 12:32:

  • Noongar: “‘My little people, don’t be afraid, because your Father happily gives you the Kingdom of God.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “‘You who follow me, you are not many. But even so, do not be afraid. Because God your Father chose you from his grace [lit, white insides], he made you his people in his Kingdom.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘You my disciples,’ said Isa, ‘do not be afraid even if you are few. Because your Father God is happy that you are ruling as he does.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for you, my disciples, don’t be afraid; even though you are just a few, your Father God, He wants that you should rule just like He rules.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘Do not moreover be afraid, even though you are few, because God has decided that you will have-a-part-in his ruling.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘Don’t be afraid, you whom I am looking after who are like a little flock of my sheep. Because it really is your Father’s pleasure, his determining that he will make you subjects of his kingdom.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: “O my little party, don’t be afraid, because God your Father considers it good to cause you to obey his words and to bless you.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)

complete verse (Luke 17:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 17:20:

  • Noongar: “Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus said, ‘The Kingdom of God doesn’t come in a way that eyes can see.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Several Parisi people asked Yesus, when God would come be King in the world. Yesus said: ‘The Kingdom of God does not start with visible signs.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “One day the Pariseo asked Isa as to when God would rule over his people. He answered them he said, ‘There is nothing to be seen when God starts his ruling.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “One day at that time there were some Pharisees who asked Jesus, ‘When will take place that ruling of God over people, that you have been talking about?’ And Jesus answered, ‘People will not be able to see its fulfillment.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “On one-occasion there were some Pharisees who went to ask Jesus when the beginning of God’s ruling would be. Jesus said, ‘There is no sign that will show when the beginning of God’s ruling will be.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Once Jesus was asked by the (pl.) Pariseo when the kingdom of God would be set up. Jesus replied, ‘His kingdom won’t be seen with the eye when it comes.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: (combined with verse 21 “Eye cannot see when God will rule. People will not say “Look, the kingdom of God is here!” or “There it is!” because the kingdom of God is right now in front of you. Seeing the deeds God is doing through me you can understand that God is king.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)

complete verse (Luke 18:17)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 18:17:

  • Noongar: “Remember! The person who does not accept the Kingdom of Heaven like a child, he will not go in.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Truly I say to you: If you do not submit to God like children, you will not become his people in his Kingdom.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Truly I tell you,’ said Isa, ‘if the trusting of a person in God is not like the trusting of children, that person will really not be included in God’s ruling.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “It’s true what I say to you, that if there is a person and his trust in God is not like the trust of little children, then he cannot be ruled over by God.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “This that I tell you is true that if you don’t receive God’s ruling you like the way children receive, you will absolutely not be included there.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “This which I will say to you is true, that whoever won’t make himself like a little child in his submitting to the rule of God, he won’t be able to enter that kingdom of his.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: ” . . . whoever does not submit to God in the way children submit to their parents he will never receive the full blessing of God.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)
  • Italian (La Sua Parola è Vita): “Indeed, I tell you that those who do not accept the Kingdom of God as a present with the same humility of a child will never be able to enter it!” (Cotrozzi 2019 explains: “Although some thought of childlike trustfulness may be present, the focus more probably lies on humility as shown by the context with its rebuke of proud Pharisees in 18:9-14.”)

complete verse (Luke 18:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 18:24:

  • Noongar: “Jesus saw the man was sad and Jesus said, ‘How hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “Yesus saw that he was sad. That is why he said: ‘It is very hard for people who have many goods to submit to God so that He becomes their King.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Isa saw that the man was sad and he said, ‘It is really very difficult for the rich ones to want to be ruled over by God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Jesus looked steadily at him and Jesus said, ‘It’s very difficult for a rich man to submit himself to God so that God might rule over him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When Jesus saw that he was sad, he said, ‘It is hard for a rich-person to be included in God’s ruling.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Jesus observed that that person was grieved. That’s why he said, ‘It is really very hard for the rich to be included in the kingdom of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Gurung: ” . . . How difficult it is for a rich man to submit to God.” (Source: Warren Glover in The Bible Translator 1978, p. 231ff.)