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 9:6

So also are the times of the Most High …: So also are may be rendered “and the same is true for” (Contemporary English Version; similarly Good News Bible) or “It will be the same way [or, the same principle will apply].” The times of the Most High refers to the end time, when God will act to bring an end to history. Good News Bible interprets this phrase to mean “the world above” (see its footnote), and Contemporary English Version is similar with “the heavenly world.” We think this interpretation is unlikely and suggest the following translation for this whole clause: “When God Most High decides to end the world, it will happen this way.”

The beginnings are manifest in wonders and mighty works may be rendered “In the beginning astounding and tremendous things [or, miracles] will happen.”

And the end in requital and in signs: The noun requital means “punishment.” Instead of requital, the Latin text has “acts” (so Revised Standard Version footnote), which we prefer. So this whole clause may be translated “and at the end God will act, and there will also be signs.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When God Most High decides to end the world, it will be the same way [or, the same principle will apply]. At the beginning astounding and tremendous things [or, miracles] will happen, and at the end there will also be signs, and God will act.

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.