Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("tell")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, tsuge-rare-ru (告げられる) or “tell” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("do")

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, nas-are-ru (なされる) or “do” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 10:10

The Hebrew verb rendered Know is imperative. It is a way of saying “I want you to know” or “This shows clearly.” In some languages the imperative form of the verb does not fulfill this same function, so a conjugated form of the verb will be required. New Century Version translates “You should know.” Compare also “You can be sure” (New Living Translation).

Then renders a relatively rare demonstrative particle in Hebrew, which seems to be used here as a logical connector. In some languages it may be possible to translate it with a word like “therefore” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

There shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD …: In 1 Sam 3.19 it is said that Yahweh “let none of his [Samuel’s] words fall to the ground,” meaning that his speaking would not be in vain but that what he said would actually happen. The same meaning is involved here. Everything that the LORD had said about the family of Ahab would prove true (see 1 Kgs 21.21-22). None of his predictions would fail to happen. Other translations here are “not a single word which the LORD has spoken … shall go unfulfilled” (New American Bible) or “everything the LORD said … will come true” (New Century Version).

The house of Ahab refers to the family of Ahab. See the comments on verse 3 and 2 Kgs 8.18.

The LORD has done what he said by his servant Elijah: Translators should make certain that Elijah is seen as the agent of the LORD’s speaking (said) and not of the verb has done. Instead of said, other acceptable translations include “promised” (Revised English Bible) and “foretold” (New American Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 10:10

10:10a Know, then, that

I want you (plur.) to know this.

-or-

You have to understand that

-or-

They needed to remember that

10:10b not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail,

Not a single word spoken by Yahweh against/concerning the descendants of Ahab will fail ⌊to be fulfilled⌋ .

-or-

Yahweh has said that he will punish the family of Ahab. It is happening exactly as he said.

-or-

everything Yahweh had spoken against Ahab’s family/line must happen.

10:10c for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.”

Yahweh has done what he said through his servant Elijah ⌊that he would do⌋ .”

-or-

Yahweh ⌊himself⌋ has done what he promised through Elijah his servant.”

-or-

Yahweh ⌊himself⌋ had acted to fulfill the message he gave to his servant Elijah.

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