king

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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:

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  • 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 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 If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior.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 Maccabees 14:9

Since you are acquainted, O King, with the details of this matter: In formal diplomatic language today, an English-speaking person would address a king as “Your Majesty,” and this is why Good News Bible uses the phrase to render O King (and why we have used it in the model above). Other languages will have their own ways of speaking to a person of great authority. Since you are acquainted translates a perfect participle in Greek, and it can be interpreted more than one way. As Revised Standard Version has it, the king already knows the details of this matter (literally “each of these things”), and should take appropriate action. As Good News Bible has it, the king does not yet know the details concerning Judas and his followers, but when he does, he should take appropriate action. As Goldstein has it, Alcimus is urging the king both to learn the details and to take appropriate action. The first clause of this verse could even mean “now that you know this (since I have told you), please take appropriate action.” It is hard to recommend one of these interpretations over the others, but we prefer Good News Bible‘s interpretation. New English Bible expresses it with “I would advise your majesty to acquaint yourself with every one of these matters” (see also the model below).

Deign to take thought for our country and our hard-pressed nation with the gracious kindness which you show to all: Deign, a word almost never used in modern English, means “please,” but it would be used in speaking to a superior in flattering language. Take thought for our country means not only think about us but do something to help us. Nation means the same as country. Take thought for our country and our hard-pressed nation may be rendered “help our country and our oppressed people.” For with the gracious kindness which you show to all, Contemporary English Version is helpful with “please be kind and generous, just as you always are.”

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• I would advise you [or, I would advise Your Majesty] to learn the details of this matter. Then I would urge you to help our country and our troubled [or, oppressed] people. Please be kind and generous to us as you are toward all the other nations that you rule.

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.