Lord

The Hebrew adonai in the Old Testament typically refers to God. The shorter adon (and in two cases in the book of Daniel the Aramaic mare [מָרֵא]) is also used to refer to God but more often for concepts like “master,” “owner,” etc. In English Bible translations all of those are translated with “Lord” if they refer to God.

In English Old Testament translations, as in Old Testament translations in many other languages, the use of Lord (or an equivalent term in other languages) is not to be confused with Lord (or the equivalent term with a different typographical display for other languages). While the former translates adonai, adon and mare, the latter is a translation for the tetragrammaton (YHWH) or the Name of God. See tetragrammaton (YHWH) and the article by Andy Warren-Rothlin in Noss / Houser, p. 618ff. for more information.

In the New Testament, the Greek term kurios has at least four different kinds of use:

  • referring to “God,” especially in Old Testament quotations,
  • meaning “master” or “owner,” especially in parables, etc.,
  • as a form of address (see for instance John 4:11: “Sir, you have no bucket”),
  • or, most often, referring to Jesus

In the first and fourth case, it is also translated as “Lord” in English.

Most languages naturally don’t have one word that covers all these meanings. According to Bratcher / Nida, “the alternatives are usually (1) a term which is an honorific title of respect for a high-ranking person and (2) a word meaning ‘boss’, ‘master’, or ‘chief.’ (…) and on the whole it has generally seemed better to employ a word of the second category, in order to emphasize the immediate personal relationship, and then by context to build into the word the prestigeful character, since its very association with Jesus Christ will tend to accomplish this purpose.”

When looking at the following list of back-translations of the terms that translators in the different languages have used for both kurios and adonai to refer to God and Jesus respectively, it might be helpful for English readers to recall the etymology of the English “Lord.” While this term might have gained an exalted meaning in the understanding of many, it actually comes from hlaford or “loaf-ward,” referring to the lord of the castle who was the keeper of the bread (source: Rosin 1956, p. 121).

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Following are some of the solutions that don’t rely on a different typographical display (see above):

  • Navajo (Dinė): “the one who has charge”
  • Mossi: “the one who has the head” (the leader)
  • Uduk: “chief”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “the one who commands”
  • Kpelle: “person-owner” (a term which may be applied to a chief)
  • Central Pame: “the one who owns us” (or “commands us”)
  • Piro: “the big one” (used commonly of one in authority)
  • San Blas Kuna: “the great one over all” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Guhu-Samane: Soopara (“our Supervisor”) (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
  • Balinese: “Venerated-one” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Yanesha’: “the one who carries us” (source: Nida 1952, p. 159)
  • Northern Emberá: Dadjirã Boro (“our Head”)
  • Rarotongan: Atu (“master or owner of a property”)
  • Gilbertese: Uea (“a person of high status invested with authority to rule the people”)
  • Rotuman: Gagaja (“village chief”)
  • Samoan: Ali’i (“an important word in the native culture, it derives from the Samoan understanding of lordship based on the local traditions”)
  • Tahitian: Fatu (“owner,” “master”)
  • Tuvalu: Te Aliki (“chief”)
  • Fijian: Liuliu (“leader”) (source for this and six above: Joseph Hong in The Bible Translator 1994, p. 329ff. )
  • Bacama: Həmə miye: “owner of people” (source: David Frank in this blog post )
  • Hopi: “Controller” (source: Walls 2000, p. 139)
  • Iyansi: Mwol. Mwol is traditionally used for the “chief of a group of communities and villages” with legal, temporal, and spiritual authority (versus the “mfum [the term used in other Bantu languages] which is used for the chief of one community of people in one village”). Mwol is also used for twins who are “treated as special children, highly honored, and taken care of like kings and queens.” (Source: Kividi Kikama in Greed / Kruger, p. 396ff.)
  • Ghomala’: Cyəpɔ (“he who is above everyone,” consisting of the verb cyə — to surpass or go beyond — and — referring to people. No human can claim this attribute, no matter what his or her social status or prestige.” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn )
  • Binumarien: Karaambaia: “fight-leader” (Source: Oates 1995, p. 255)
  • Warlpiri: Warlaljamarri (owner or possessor of something — for more information tap or click here)

    We have come to rely on another term which emphasizes God’s essential nature as YHWH, namely jukurrarnu (see tetragrammaton (YHWH)). This word is built on the same root jukurr– as is jukurrpa, ‘dreaming.’ Its basic meaning is ‘timelessness’ and it is used to describe physical features of the land which are viewed as always being there. Some speakers view jukurrarnu in terms of ‘history.’ In all Genesis references to YHWH we have used Kaatu Jukurrarnu. In all Mark passages where kurios refers to God and not specifically to Christ we have also used Kaatu Jukurrarnu.

    New Testament references to Christ as kurios are handled differently. At one stage we experimented with the term Watirirririrri which refers to a ceremonial boss of highest rank who has the authority to instigate ceremonies. While adequately conveying the sense of Christ’s authority, there remained potential negative connotations relating to Warlpiri ceremonial life of which we might be unaware.

    Here it is that the Holy Spirit led us to make a chance discovery. Transcribing the personal testimony of the local Warlpiri pastor, I noticed that he described how ‘my Warlaljamarri called and embraced me (to the faith)’. Warlaljamarri is based on the root warlalja which means variously ‘family, possessions, belongingness’. A warlaljamarri is the ‘owner’ or ‘possessor’ of something. While previously being aware of the ‘ownership’ aspect of warlaljamarri, this was the first time I had heard it applied spontaneously and naturally in a fashion which did justice to the entire concept of ‘Lordship’. Thus references to Christ as kurios are now being handled by Warlaljamarri.” (Source: Stephen Swartz, The Bible Translator 1985, p. 415ff. )

  • Mairasi: Onggoao Nem (“Throated One” — “Leader,” “Elder”) or Enggavot Nan (“Above-One”) (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Obolo: Okaan̄-ene (“Owner of person(s)”) (source: Enene Enene)
  • Angami Naga: Niepu (“master,” “owner”)
  • Lotha Naga: Opvui (“owner of house / field / cattle”) — since both “Lord” and YHWH are translated as Opvui there is an understanding that “Opvui Jesus is the same as the Opvui of the Old Testament”
  • Ao Naga: Kibuba (“human master,” “teacher,” “owner of property,” etc.) (source for this and two above: Nitoy Achumi in The Bible Translator 1992 p. 438ff. )
  • Seediq: Tholang, loan word from Min Nan Chinese (the majority language in Taiwan) thâu-lâng (頭儂): “Master” (source: Covell 1998, p. 248)
  • Thai: phra’ phu pen cao (พระผู้เป็นเจ้า) (divine person who is lord) or ong(kh) cao nay (องค์เจ้านาย) (<divine classifier>-lord-boss) (source: Stephen Pattemore)
  • Arabic often uses different terms for adonai or kurios referring to God (al-rabb الرب) and kurios referring to Jesus (al-sayyid الـسـيـد). Al-rabb is also the term traditionally used in Arabic Christian-idiom translations for YHWH, and al-sayyid is an honorary term, similar to English “lord” or “sir” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin).
  • Tamil also uses different terms for adonai/kurios when referring to God and kurios when referring to Jesus. The former is Karttar கர்த்தர், a Sanskrit-derived term with the original meaning of “creator,” and the latter in Āṇṭavar ஆண்டவர், a Tamil term originally meaning “govern” or “reign” (source: Natarajan Subramani).
  • Burunge: Looimoo: “owner who owns everything” (in the Burunge Bible translation, this term is only used as a reference to Jesus and was originally used to refer to the traditional highest deity — source: Michael Endl in Holzhausen / Riderer 2010, p. 48)
  • Yagaria: Souve, originally “war lord” (source: Renck, p. 94)
  • Aguacateco: Ajcaw ske’j: “the one to whom we belong and who is above us” (source: Rita Peterson in Holzhausen / Riderer 2010, p. 49)
  • Konkomba: Tidindaan: “He who is the owner of the land and reigns over the people” (source: Lidorio 2007, p. 66)
  • Chichewa: Ambuye Ambuye comes from the singular form Mbuye which is used to refer to: (1) someone who is a guardian or protector of someone or group of people — a grandparent who has founded a community or village; (2) someone who is a boss or master over a group of people or servants and has absolute control over them; (3) owner of something, be it a property, animals and people who are bound under his/her rule — for people this was mostly commonly used in the context of slaves and their owner. In short, Mbuye is someone who has some authorities over those who call him/her their “Mbuye.” Now, when the form Ambuye is used it will either be for honorific when used for singular or plural when referring to more than one person. When this term is used in reference to God, it is for respect to God as he is acknowledged as a guardian, protector, and ruler of everything. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation).
  • Hdi uses rveri (“lion”) as a title of respect and as such it regularly translates adon in the Old Testament. As an address, it’s most often with a possessive pronoun as in rvera ɗa (“my lion” = “my lord” or “sir”). So, for example, Genesis 15:2 (“O Lord God”) is Rvera ɗa Yawe (“My lion Yahweh”) or Ruth to Boaz in Ruth 2:13: “May I find your grace [lit. good-stomach] my lion.” This ties in nicely with the imagery of the Lord roaring like a lion (Hosea 11:10; Amos 3:8; Joel 3:16). Better still, this makes passages like Revelation 5:5 even richer when we read about rveri ma taba məndəra la Yuda, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”. In Revelation 19:16, Jesus is rveri ta ghəŋa rveriha “the lion above lions” (“lord of lords”). (Source: Drew Maust)

Law (2013, p. 97) writes about how the Ancient Greek Septuagint‘s translation of the Hebrew adonai was used by the New Testament writers as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments: “Another case is the use of kurios referring to Jesus. For Yahweh (in English Bibles: ‘the Lord‘), the Septuagint uses kurios. Although the term kurios usually has to do with one’s authority over others, when the New Testament authors use this word from the Septuagint to refer to Jesus, they are making an extraordinary claim: Jesus of Nazareth is to be identified with Yahweh.”

See also Father / Lord.

Father (address for God)

The Greek that is translated with the capitalized “Father” in English when referring to God is translated in Highland Totonac with the regular word for (biological) father to which a suffix is added to indicate respect. The same also is used for “Lord” when referring to Jesus. (Source: Hermann Aschmann in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 171ff. )

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. In the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017, God the Father is addressed with mi-chichi (御父). This form has the “divine” honorific prefix mi– preceding the archaic honorific form chichi for “father.”

If, however, Jesus addresses his Father, he is using chichi-o (父を) which is also highly respectful but does not have the “divine” honorific. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also Lord and my / our Father.

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:13

This third petition is more closely linked with the second (v. 12) than the second is with the first (v. 11). The semantic relation between verses 12 and 13 is one of means and purpose (Revised Standard Version “so that he may establish”), while the relation between verses 11 and 12 is additive (or possibly contrastive). Good News Translation (cf. Translator’s New Testament Bible en français courant) makes this relation one of means and result: In this way he will strengthen you. Many translations begin a new sentence here, either without (New English Bible Le Nouveau Testament. Version Synodale) or with (Knox Jerusalem Bible Good News Translation Bible de Jérusalem) an indication of the link with verse 12. Some translators transfer the idea of purpose to a later point in the sentence, where it is indeed also implied and should be made explicit. Revised Standard Version‘s literal translation “establish your hearts unblamable” lacks clarity and therefore impact. Jerusalem Bible has “may the Lord so” (manner, “in such a way”) “confirm your hearts … that you may” (purpose) “be blameless…” (cf. Bible de Jérusalem Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Barclay clarifies the meaning in another way, by emphasizing an element of time which is implied later in the word when: It is our prayer that he may strengthen your hearts, until you can stand in blameless holiness.

The movement of thought, from the Lord (Jesus), who will strengthen you, to our God and Father, and back to the coming of our Lord Jesus, produces a rather awkward literary style, but it creates no great problems of understanding. Knox transfers “our Lord Jesus” to the first part of the verse: “So, when our Lord Jesus Christ comes…, may you stand boldly.”

The phrase used for strengthen you in the receptor language must be carefully checked to make sure that the translation corresponds to the meaning of the original. Literally the phrase is “make your hearts strong,” but it means not merely “strengthen your emotions, make your feelings warmer,” but “strengthen your whole inner being,” or strengthen you, with a special reference to the strengthening of the Thessalonians’ understanding and courage, in preparation for the final test which lies ahead of them. See also the notes on “heart” in 2.4, 17. This interpretation is supported by the fact that everywhere else in the New Testament the word “blameless” (Good News Translation perfect, see next paragraph) is applied to persons. Clearly “your hearts” is very close in meaning to “you yourselves.”

The phrase in this way (an expression of means) may be regarded by some persons as ambiguous, because it could refer either to the increased love of the Thessalonian Christians for one another and for other people, or to the Lord’s causing such love. If one assumes that the reference is primarily to the Lord’s action, one may translate in this way as “by doing this…” or “by causing you to love more and more, he will….”

The first Christian inherited from the Old Testament and from later Judaism a picture of the last days which they modified by putting Christ at its center. One element in this picture was a trial in which Satan would bring all kinds of accusations against people, and God would pass judgment. This may be in Paul’s mind as he uses the word “blameless,” which Good News Translation (cf. Bible en français courant Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) translates perfect. The implied picture of a court of law is strengthened by the word used for in the presence of, which is most commonly used of being in the presence of a superior, especially an accused before a judge or a subject before a king. The same word is used in a similar context in 2.19.

In many languages perfect must be rendered as a negative, even as the Greek term itself suggests; that is, “people who cannot be blamed,” “those against whom there is no accusation,” or “those who have no fault.” A positive equivalent would be “people who will be acquitted,” which suits the wider context well. In this particular context a translation such as “innocent” might suggest too much the idea of immaturity.

The two words translated perfect and holy, literally “unblamable in holiness” (Revised Standard Version), complement and reinforce one another. The first word is negative in form, and the second positive. The central meaning of holy is that of being set apart from common use in order to be used only in God’s service. The implications of the phrase may therefore be “No one (particular Satan) will be able to blame you for anything, because you will belong so completely to God.”

As in 2.19 and 4.15-17, Paul marks the end of a section by speaking of the coming of Christ. On the word for “coming” (when our Lord Jesus comes), see the notes on 2.19 and also below.

A few manuscripts (followed by King James Version Knox Jerusalem Bible but not by Bible de Jérusalem) add “Christ” after Lord Jesus, but this is not likely a part of the original text.

The phrase with all who belong to him (cf. Translator’s New Testament), literally “with all his holy ones,” presents two problems, one of text and one of meaning. Some manuscripts add “Amen,” but it is not certain that this is part of the original text. The second edition of the UBS Greek New Testament puts “Amen” in a footnote; the third edition puts it in the text, but in square brackets.

The problem of meaning is easier to state than to solve. Who are the “holy ones” of whom Paul speaks? Are they Christians or angels or both? The coming of Jesus with angels is mentioned in 2 Thess. 1.7 (cf. 1 Thess. 4.16). The present text recalls Zechariah 14.5 (“the LORD my God will appear with all the holy ones” New English Bible), where angels are almost certainly meant. Moffatt (“all his holy ones”) and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch (“his heavenly following”) appear to understand the present text in this way. So does Best, though he comments: “The argument is evenly balanced and saints’ is a real alternative; there is almost nothing to be said for the view that both are intended” (153). On the other hand, nowhere else does Paul call angels “saints” or “holy ones,” while this is one of his favorite names for Christians. In Colossians 1.26 he uses the same expression “his saints” (Good News Translation “his people”) in this way, the pronoun “his” reinforcing the idea of “holy,” that is, “the people who belong to God.” On the whole, it seems better to take “saints” as referring to Christians, that is, to human, not supernatural beings. Good News Translation in any case gives the basic meaning.

The thought of Christ coming “with all his saints” raises in the modern reader’s mind the question: “So will all Christians have died by then?” Chapter 4.15-17 shows that this is a problem, not only for the modern reader and the translator, but for the original readers also. However, the Greek word for “coming” (cf. 2.19) does not always express the idea of movement towards a given place.

It may be somewhat awkward to translate “surrounded by all the people who belong to him,” but one can simply say “all the people who belong to him will be with him.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:13

3:13a

so that He may establish your hearts: This part of the verse states the purpose of 3:12a. One way to make this connection clear would be to begin the verse:

We(excl) pray this so that He may establish your hearts

He may establish your hearts: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as establish is the same verb that Paul used in 3:2b. The expression your hearts refers to the inner being—the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of a person (see the note on 2:4c). Paul was therefore asking God to strengthen the Thessalonians inwardly so they would do what pleased God.

3:13b

blamelessness: The word blamelessness here means “God will not accuse you of doing wrong.” See the note on 2:10b

holiness: See the note on “holy” in 2:10b. Although Paul used a different word here, the meaning is the same in this context.

our God and Father: See the note on 1:3a.

3:13c

at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints: This refers to the time when Jesus will return to earth to judge everyone.

His saints: In this context, commentators do not agree about how the Greek word hagioi, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints, should be translated. There are two possibilities:

(1) It refers to angels. If Paul is alluding to the Old Testament sense of “holy ones,” this would be the meaning.

(2) It refers to Christians, whom Paul often refers to as “saints.” This is how most English versions translate it.

These are both possible. Some English versions use a phrase that could include both meanings. For example:

all those who belong to him (Good News Translation)

If you decide to use a term in your translation that only means “angels” or that only means “Christians,” then it would be a good idea to include the other possibility in a footnote.

Paragraph 4:1–8

Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that he had already taught them how to behave in order to please God. He then urged them to do even better than they had done already.

4:1a

Finally: The Greek word loipon, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Finally, indicates that here Paul was beginning the second and last major part of his letter. As in many of his other letters, in this final part he instructs the Thessalonians about how Christians should behave. However, remember there are still two chapters left, so avoid using a term which would make it sound like Paul was ending his letter here.

In Greek, the verse begins with oun, “therefore.” Paul used this term to indicate that what he was about to write in chapters 4 and 5 was based on what he wrote in the first part of the letter, that is, chapters 1–3.

brothers: See the note on 1:4.

we ask and encourage you: The commentators disagree about whether there is any significant difference between the meaning of the two Greek verbs erōtaō (ask) and parakaleō (encourage). Paul often used two verbs instead of one with the second one emphasizing the first. In your translation you have a choice about how to translate these two verbs:

• Use two verbs with similar meaning. This is what almost every English version has done.

• Combine the two verbs into one expression, for example, “we strongly urge you.”

You should retain two verbs if it is possible to do so in your language. Otherwise, you can follow the second option.

in the Lord Jesus: This is a phrase that Paul often used in his letters. However, commentators disagree about what it means. The same expression is used in 2 Thessalonians 3:12. There are two possible meanings:

(1) It means “because we are united in Christ Jesus.” Paul was appealing to the common fellowship that he, his companions, and the Thessalonians had because they were all members of the family of God.

(Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, SSA)

(2) It means “because the Lord Jesus has authorized us.” This interpretation seems to be supported by the phrase “by the authority of the Lord Jesus” in 4:2.

(Good News Translation, King James Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

Other English versions do not clearly indicate which of these interpretations they follow. However, it is recommended that you follow the first option (1), because in the context of this letter, Paul was emphasizing the Thessalonians’ love for him and God and Jesus, rather than his authority as an apostle.

4:1b

just as you have received from us: Paul was referring to instructions that he and his companions had given the Thessalonian believers while they were with them. He was not referring to the instructions in the previous part of this letter. Paul and his companions had already taught them how to behave as a Christian should.

4:1c

This is how you already live: This clause is omitted in King James Version because some Greek manuscripts omit it. But the UBS Handbook Greek text and other major English versions agree that it should be there. Therefore, you should include it in your translation. As he did in 1:6–9, Paul was recognizing that the Thessalonians were already behaving in the way he had mentioned in 4:1a.

4:1d

so you should do so all the more: This means “you should please God all the more.” Paul was never content that those whom he had helped to believe in Christ should do the minimum to prove they were Christians. He wanted them all to imitate Jesus as much as possible.

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