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 7:88

Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High …: Uriel now turns to discuss the future of the righteous after they die. For order see the comments on “ways” at verse 80. For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. This clause may be rendered “Now let me explain what will happen to those who have lived as God Most High has commanded” or “… to those who have walked the paths of God Most High.”

When they shall be separated from their mortal body: The pronoun they may be rendered “their souls.” The Latin expression for their mortal body is literally “the corruptible vessel” (Revised Standard Version footnote), which obviously means their mortal body, and requires no footnote.

At the beginning of this subsection it may be helpful to remind the reader that Uriel is speaking by rendering this verse as follows:

• “Now,” Uriel continued, “I will tell you about those who have lived as God Most High commanded, and the stages they will go through when they [or, their souls] leave their mortal bodies.

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.