self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (2 Chronicles 2:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 2:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “to cut for me many trees because the house that I am going to build is big and wonderful.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I need much wood. For the temple I am about to build will be very big and beautiful.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “to prepare very many trees, because the temple that I am going-to-build is big and beautiful.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “In that way, those workers will provide me with plenty of lumber. We will need plenty, because I want the temple that we will build to be large and beautiful.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:9

To prepare timber for me in abundance: While the Hebrew verb for prepare does not specify the manner of preparing the timber, it may be necessary in some languages to use a more specific word. But a more general expression is preferable if possible in the language of translation; for example, New International Version has “provide.” The Hebrew word translated timber is more literally “trees.” Timber … in abundance may be translated “a lot of wood” (New Century Version), “plenty of lumber” (New International Version), or “an ample supply of timber” (Revised English Bible).

For the house I am to build will be great and wonderful: This clause states why Solomon needed great quantities of various kinds of wood. It was because the new construction had to be significant in size and sensational in appearance. The Hebrew word translated great is the same one as in verse 5 and focuses on the actual size of the structure. Wonderful translates a less common Hebrew word. It is used of the wonders that God did in delivering his people from Egypt (Exo 3.20) and carries the idea of something that is “awesome.” For this whole clause New Jerusalem Bible says “since the house which I intend to build is to be of a size to marvel at.”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Chronicles 2:9

2:9a to prepare for me timber in abundance,

to supply me with a large quantity of timber.
-or-
to get as much wood as I need.

2:9b because the temple I am building will be great and wonderful.

⌊I will need lots of timber⌋ because I want to build a great and magnificent temple.
-or-
My desire is to build a large and beautiful house ⌊for God⌋.

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