self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

Translation commentary on 2 Maccabees 11:29

Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs: Menelaus was the High Priest who sympathized with the Syrian policy of transforming the ancient Jewish way of life. He became High Priest by paying the king for the office (see 2Macc 4.23-25). The pronoun you refers to the Jewish soldiers still in the field, who want to go home and get back to their private lives. The word home is not in the Greek but is obviously implied. For return home, Goldstein has “go back to your homes.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.