king

Click here to view graphically

Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:

(Click or tap here to see details)

  • Piro: “a great one”
  • Highland Totonac: “the big boss”
  • Huichol: “the one who commanded” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Ekari: “the one who holds the country” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Una: weik sienyi: “big headman” (source: Kroneman 2004, p. 407)
  • Pass Valley Yali: “Big Man” (source: Daud Soesilo)
  • Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
  • Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))

Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:

“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”

(Source: Faye Edgerton in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 25ff. )

See also king (Japanese honorifics).

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 3:6

So: This verse begins with the common Hebrew conjunction, which has been interpreted as meaning “At once” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible) and “One day” (Contemporary English Version). Others take it as a logical connector as in Revised Standard Version. The preferred translation is probably something like “At once,” which would render both at that time and the introductory conjunction (so Good News Translation). There would, no doubt, have been a certain urgency in acting to suppress a rebellion. At that time is literally “on that day,” but these words should not be taken literally. The sense is “as soon as he learned the news.” The words “on that day” do not refer to the day that Ahab died. Rather, they probably refer to the rebellion by Mesha against Israel. An ancient Jewish interpretation notes that “on that day” refers to the arrival of the prophet Elisha in Samaria, which would explain his presence in the army (see verse 11).

King Jehoram: In some cases translators may need to say “the new king whose name was Joram.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “the new king of Israel, Joram.” On the use of “Joram” for Jehoram, see 2 Kgs 1.17.

Marched out of Samaria: The Hebrew verb rendered marched out is literally “went out” or “went forth,” but in this context Revised Standard Version correctly uses the military expression marched out (also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). New American Bible says “set out on a campaign,” which is also appropriate here. If Samaria is clearly understood to be a city in verse 1, it will probably not be necessary to add a classifier term here.

After leaving the capital, King Joram mustered all Israel; that is, he gathered together all the other troops who were living outside the city. New International Version uses the verb “mobilized,” which is technically an anachronism because it implies the use of mechanized vehicles. But it is otherwise a good term in this military context. Contemporary English Version is better with “called together.” Another possible model is “assembled.” For all Israel, see the comments on 1 Kgs 15.27.

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 .