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 14:30

Jonathan rallied the nation, and became their high priest, and was gathered to his people: While the focus is on Simon, the inscription goes back as far as Jonathan. Oddly Judas is not mentioned by name, but perhaps this is because the focus is on the office of High Priest. It may be helpful to identify Jonathan as “Simon’s brother Jonathan.” Rallied may be rendered “united” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Was gathered to his people is a euphemism for “died” (Good News Bible). Translators may have similar idioms that will be appropriate in this context. It is possible to connect this final clause with the next verse by saying “When he died” or “But after he died.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Simon’s brother Jonathan united our people and became our high priest. But after he died….

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.