Most High

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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 7:39 - 7:42

A day that has no sun or moon or stars, or cloud or thunder or lightning or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning, or summer or spring or heat or winter or frost or cold or hail or rain or dew, or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light: Verses 39-42 describe the time of judgment (compare Gen 8.22; Psa 74.16-17; Eccl 12.2; Zech 14.6). A day that … may be rendered “That will be a time when…” or “At that time of judgment…,” since verse 43 says the judgment will last for seven years. The Latin word for winter in verse 41 may be translated “storm” equally as well (see Revised Standard Version footnote). Translators may choose either sense. In some languages summer and winter are referred to as “dry time” and “rainy time” respectively. Translators should use natural expressions for these seasons. If frost is unknown in a culture, translators may combine frost and cold, saying simply “cold.” Shining or brightness may be rendered “daylight or the bright sun.”

But only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been determined for them: Compare Isa 60.19-20; Rev 21.23. For God’s glory, see 2 Esd 3.19 even though a different Latin word is used there.

Good News Bible has an excellent model for verses 39-42, but we suggest that translators begin with “At that time of judgment” instead of “On Judgment Day.”

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.