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

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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 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, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

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

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 5:2

In times past: literally “yesterday and the day-before-yesterday” (see 3.17 and 1 Sam 19.7).

It was you: the pronoun here is emphatic. The representatives seem to be expressing an idea that is somewhat contrary to normal expectations, since the king was expected to be the leader in fighting the enemy. This may be expressed by something like “While Saul was still king over us, you were the one who led us in fighting” or “Even when Saul was king, you were our leader in battle” (compare Anchor Bible and Contemporary English Version).

Led out and brought in: see the comments on “going out” and “coming in” at 3.25. Here the reference is certainly a military one. Fox shows this by adding the words “in battle” in parentheses. It was David who led Saul’s forces to victory (note the chant comparing Saul and David found in 1 Sam 18.7; 21.11; and 29.5). So it will be better in most languages to use a verb that indicates leadership and direction in times of combat. And the form of the verb should show that this was something that occurred repeatedly or habitually in the past.

You shall be shepherd: see also 7.7. This actually translates a single verb meaning “do the work of a shepherd.” In Old Testament times kings were frequently said to “shepherd” their people because the image of sheep and shepherds was so familiar to the people in that part of the world. In the receptor language, however, this image may be completely foreign. If this is the case, this verb may have to be translated “You will be the one who will guide and protect [my people].” Or, if the image is retained, it should be made clear that this is a figure of speech: “You will care for my people as a shepherd watches over his sheep….”

Prince: see the comments on 1 Sam 9.16. The word so translated probably means “the designated one” or “the one proclaimed.” It may therefore be rendered “chosen leader” or “designated ruler.” And since this is a part of a direct quotation from the LORD, it is possible to say “the leader whom I have chosen for my people.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .