inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (2Kings 6:16)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.

complete verse (2 Kings 6:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 6:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Elisha answered the servant, ‘Do not be afraid, we have many more than they have.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The prophet replied, "No need to be afraid, there are more on our side than on their side."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Elisha replied, ‘You do- not -be-afraid. We (incl.) have a more great-number of companions than them.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Elisha replied, ‘Do not be afraid! Those who will be helping us will be more than those who will be helping them!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 6:16

He said: The receptor language translation should make it clear that in this verse it is Elisha who is responding to the concern expressed by his servant in the previous verse.

Fear not: Compare 1 Kgs 17.13.

For: The conjunction used here introduces the reason for not being afraid. In some cases it may be translated “because” (Hobbs). In other languages the whole structure of Elisha’s statement will have to be reversed, saying something like “We have more soldiers on our side than they do on their side. Therefore, don’t be afraid.”

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them: It will be essential in some languages to specify what the word those refers to. The next verse shows clearly that what is intended is military might, which may be expressed either as “soldiers” or “horses and chariots.” So it will be better in certain languages to say “we have more horses and chariots than those who surround us” or “There are more troops on our side than on theirs” (Contemporary English Version).

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 6:16

6:16a “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered,

The prophet replied, “Do (sing.) not be afraid.

-or-

Elisha said ⌊to his servant⌋ , “There is no need to be frightened.

-or-

The prophet answered that he need not be afraid.

6:16b “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

We (incl.) have more ⌊soldiers/forces⌋ on our (incl.) side than they have on their side.”

-or-

The army that fights for us (incl.) is larger than the one that fights against us.”

-or-

The army protecting them was greater/stronger than the army of their enemies.

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