high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “the ruler of the priests of our nation”
  • Chol: “very great priest” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “first over the priests”
  • Desano: “chief of the priests” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).
  • Uma: “Big Priest” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “high sacrificer” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Big leader of offerings” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Khoekhoe the translation for “high priest” is only capitalized when it refers to Jesus (as is Hebrews 2:17 et al.). (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also priest and chief priest.

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 14:23

It has pleased our people to receive these men with honor may be expressed as “We Spartans gladly welcomed these men and honored them” (Contemporary English Version).

And to put a copy of their words in the public archives, so that the people of the Spartans may have a record of them: The public archives is literally “the books appointed for the people.” This expression may be rendered in the same way as “our public decrees” in the previous verse. An alternative model for the first half of this verse is “We were delighted to receive these men with all honors. Also, we have put an official copy of their message in our public records [or, record books]. This is so that the people of Sparta might have a permanent record of it.”

And they have sent a copy of this to Simon the High Priest: This clause is clearly stated in Good News Bible, which reads “A copy of this document has been made for the High Priest Simon.” The document placed in Sparta’s public records (verses 22b-23) was copied and sent to Simon.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.