Most High

Click here to view graphically

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Ge’ez, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “he the completely glorified God”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Father God who is high in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has such tremendous authority”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “he who is the native of the highest place”
  • Palantla Chinantec: “the Big God Himself”
  • Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “God who has authority over all”
  • Estado de México Otomi: “most exalted God”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “God who is in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has a great rule” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Sa’a: “God, the Surpassing One” (source: Carl Gross)
  • Elhomwe: Mulluku Muullupalli or “God the Great” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Chichewa: Wammwambamwamba: A name of God. While this word is difficult to translate into English, its sense implies that God is highly above everything in his power and greatness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 4:34

The Latin text of this verse is uncertain and in a state of confusion (see the Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible footnotes). We may accept Revised Standard Version‘s reconstruction of it.

He answered me and said: See the comments on verses 1-2. This quote frame may be rendered simply “Uriel answered” (Good News Bible).

You do not hasten faster than the Most High, for your haste is for yourself: Here Uriel is telling Ezra that he (Ezra) is impatient, in a hurry to learn things, but only because of his own interest and curiosity. For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. You do not hasten faster than the Most High may be translated “Don’t try to rush God Most High,” “Don’t be in a greater hurry than…,” or even “Don’t try to make God Most High move [or, work] faster.”

But the Highest hastens on behalf of many: God sets his own pace, because he is seeing to the interests of everyone. The Highest refers to God. This title for God is very similar in meaning to the Most High, so these two titles may be combined (so Good News Bible).

We suggest the following models for this verse:

• He answered me, “Don’t [try to] rush God Most High. You are interested only in yourself, but God has many people to care for, and he works at his own pace [or, speed].

• He answered me, “Don’t try to make God Most High work faster than he does. You are interested only in yourself. But God works at his own speed, taking care of many people.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.