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 16:23 - 16:24

Verses 23-24 give a summary statement concerning John’s rule as High Priest, so a paragraph break is appropriate here (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible).

The rest of the acts of John and his wars and the brave deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he built, and his achievements, behold, they are written in the chronicles of his high priesthood, from the time that he became high priest after his father: Good News Bible renders and the building of the walls which he built as “his rebuilding of walls.” In this context building is more accurate than “rebuilding.” The chronicles refers to the official written records of John’s rule, which no longer exist; it does not refer to the Old Testament books by that name.

Good News Bible works well as a model here, but since a good bit of verse 24 is moved forward into verse 23, we suggest combining the verse numbers in Good News Bible. An alternative model that combines verses 23-24 is:

• John succeeded his father as High Priest, and he went on to fight bravely in other battles. He built walls and accomplished great things. One [or, You] may read about all this in the official records [or, record books] of the priests.

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.