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 7:79

And if it is one of those who have shown scorn: This clause refers to the spirit (soul) of someone who has had no use for God. For those who have shown scorn, see the comments on verse 76. Contemporary English Version says “people who have completely ignored God.”

And have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law: These two clauses mean the same thing. Some translators may wish to keep the repetition by saying “and who did not walk God’s path or follow his Law.” Others may want to combine them, for example, “and who have no use for God’s Law.”

And who have hated those who fear God: In this context fear God means “worship God” (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version).

In the Latin text verses 79 and 80 form one long sentence (so also Revised Standard Version). In many languages it will be better to divide these verses into more than one sentence. Good News Bible shows one way this can be done. Here is another possibility for this verse, one that uses a rhetorical question:

• But what if it is the soul of someone who has had no use for God Most High or his Law, who has not done as God commanded, and who has hated people who worship him?

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.