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 8:59

For just as the things which I have predicted await you: The connector For is better rendered “So” (Good News Bible) or “That’s why” (Contemporary English Version). The things are “the joys” (Good News Bible) or even “the rewards” (Contemporary English Version). This clause may be translated “So, Ezra, you will receive the rewards that I have promised.” The Revised Standard Version footnote here may be ignored.

So the thirst and torment which are prepared await them: For thirst as a feature of torment in hell, see Luke 16.24. This clause may be expressed as “while the wicked will receive nothing but thirst and torture,” “but I have prepared thirst and torture for them [or, the sinners],” or even “But I will cause them [or, the wicked] to undergo thirst and pain.”

For the Most High did not intend that men should be destroyed: Compare Ezek 33.11; 2 Peter 3.9. The conjunction For is better rendered “But” (Good News Bible), since it introduces an unexpected idea here. In languages that do not have the passive voice, this clause may be rendered “But I, God Most High, do not want to destroy any person.” Good News Bible also has a good model here.

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.