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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, s-are-ru (される) or “do/reckon” is used.
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Ge’ez, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
And Solomon said to God: Good News Translation leaves it implied that it was God whom Solomon addressed. In this context the verb said is more naturally translated “replied” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “answered” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New American Bible).
Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to David my father: The archaic pronoun Thou is in keeping with Revised Standard Version‘s general practice to use special pronouns for God when he is addressed. However, Thou does not reflect a special pronoun in Hebrew and should not be imitated in the receptor language. This practice of Revised Standard Version is not followed by New Revised Standard Version nor even by New King James Version . Nearly all modern English versions use the modern pronoun “You.” The Hebrew pronoun for Thou is emphatic, so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible begins this clause with “It is you who….” In languages where the use of an independent pronoun shows emphasis, such a pronoun should probably be used here. Others may say “You are the one who….” The verb hast shown (literally “have done”) should not be understood as referring to a single incident. Rather, this clause is to be taken as a general statement about the way in which God regularly behaved toward Solomon’s father. Those languages that have habitual verb forms will almost certainly want to use such a form in this context. Others may have to add an adverb like “always” as in Good News Translation. Steadfast love translates the Hebrew word chesed (see the comments on 1 Chr 16.34). This word includes the idea of loving devotion and faithfulness to a person or group of persons as a result of a commitment, a promise, or a covenant. When it is used to describe God, its emphasis is on God’s faithfulness to his covenant with his people, his promise to be their God always and to protect them and take care of them. Other translations of chesed include “constant love” (Revised English Bible) and “faithful love” (New Jerusalem Bible). Languages vary as to whether it is more natural to say David my father or “my father David” (Good News Translation, New Century Version, Bible en français courant). Whichever order is more natural should be used. Other ways of translating this whole clause include “You dealt most graciously with my father David” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) and “You have shown great kindness to David my father” (New International Version).
And hast made me king in his stead: A causative verb form here will be the most natural way of translating this clause in some languages; for example, “and you caused me to become king in his place” or “and you caused me to reign in his place after he died.” Bible en français courant says “and now you have designated me as king to succeed him.” Another possible model is “and now you have let me replace him as king.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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