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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 to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God or a person or persons to be honored, the honorific prefix go- (御 or ご) can be used, as in go-hairyo (ご配慮), a combination of “foresight” (hairyo) and the honorific prefix go-. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
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, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding Felix).
In Huautla Mazatec, however, the translators selected the inclusive we.
Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 24:2:
Uma: “So, Governor Feliks ordered people to bring Paulus to their meeting. Tertulus was given opportunity to speak first. He began to accuse Paulus like this: ‘Our(excl.) father Governor Feliks that we (excl.) respect! Because of your (sing.) governing, we (excl.) your (sing.) people live with goodness [i.e., live well]. And from your (sing.) skill in ordering/planning, much has been fixed in our (excl.) towns.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “After they had called Paul, Tertullus began stating their accusation. He said, ‘Sir, you are really prominent/important. Because of your good governorship/Because of the good way you-rule-as-governor, our (excl.) land is very peaceful, and you also do/have done a lot of good for this country/place.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And he called Paul and then Tertullus stood up because he would tell their charges against Paul. And he said, ‘Dear Governor, because of your skill leading us, we’ve had peace a long time in our province, and there are many good things that have come to pass for us.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “When the governor had-Pablo -called, Tertullus spoke to accuse him. He said, ‘Honored Sir Governor! On-account-of your (sing.) skill in ruling-over us (excl.), our (excl.) life here has been peaceful for-a-long-time. You have also done much to improve this country.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “And then, when the governor had caused Pablo to be fetched, Tertulo began to explain-in-detail what they were accusing Pablo of. He said, ‘Respected Governor, really right from when you were seated as our (excl.) governing-official, for all this time there has been no trouble here in this land. It has been replaced by peace. Really through this governing of yours, many things have been renewed, which is for the benefit of all people under your rule.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tertullus was called is in the Greek a very ambiguous participle “when he was called” (see Revised Standard Version). Verse 2 suggests that Tertullus was the one called upon to speak; but it is also possible to understand this participle as Paul being called to the hearing (see 25.6, 17, 23). An American Translation*, Moffatt, New English Bible, and Phillips all explicitly identify Paul as the subject of this verb. Neither does the Greek give any object of the verb began to accuse, though all agree that Paul is its object.
In a number of languages one cannot say Tertullus was called. This would imply that he had not been there and someone “called to him.” The equivalent expression in some languages is simply “Governor Felix motioned to Tertullus to speak” or, in some instances, one may use a very general subject “they indicated to Tertullus that he should speak.”
As follows is literally “saying.” However, the force of this expression in Greek is merely to introduce an address (see Phillips “in these words”; New English Bible merely says “Tertullus opened the case”). In some languages the equivalent is “and these are his words” or “and this is what he said.”
In the Greek sentence structure Tertullus’ address begins with the words “much peace” (Good News Translationa long period of peace). Apparently in the first century A.D. it was quite common and proper to begin an address with the word “much,” and then later introduce the person addressed. However, in English it is more natural to being a speech by addressing the person or persons to whom one is speaking, and so this has been followed in the Good News Translation.
In some languages it is not possible to speak of your wise leadership has brought us a long period of peace; only persons can be spoken of as causing peace. Therefore, one may translate as “because you are such a wise leader, we have had peace for a long time.”
Of course, this introductory statement by Tertullus is pure flattery, but it was typical of all such statements made to government officials who in ancient times served not only as executives but also as judges.
Many necessary reforms is literally “reforms,” and has been rendered as “needed reforms” (An American Translation*), “improvements” (New English Bible, see Moffatt), and “improved conditions of living” (Phillips).
For the good of our country is literally “for this country,” but these reforms must be understood in terms of something good for the country. It is proper to understand the Greek expression “for this country” as an equivalent of “for our country,” since this is a natural way in Greek for one to refer to his own country. On the other hand, if one understands Tertullus not to have been a Jew, then perhaps he is referring to “their country” rather than our country. In this type of context, however, one must employ the exclusive first person plural in Tertullus’ remarks to Governor Felix since he certainly would not imply to the governor that the governor himself was to be identified with the country.
It may be that Tertullus, like any good lawyer, tries to identify himself with the position of his client. This would not mean, therefore, what Tertullus would necessarily be a Jew even though he might use we.
In some few languages there is a highly specialized distinction in the first person plural of pronouns. One is the nonrestrictive “we” which involves everyone in a group. Another form of “we” is the restrictive “we” and identifies within any particular group a subgroup which is aware of its own identity. For this type of language an expression such as our country would certainly employ the restrictive our.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
When Paul had been called in: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
When ⌊the governor⌋ ordered that Paul be brought in
This clause implies that Paul went to the governor before Tertullus began presenting his case in full. (In 24:1c, they only told the governor what the charges were.) For example:
When a message was sent to have Paul come/brought ⌊and he arrived⌋ -or-
Then Paul was brought to ⌊the court⌋ -or-
Then ⌊the governor⌋ spoke ⌊to a soldier/official/jailer and he went and⌋ brought Paul
called in: It indicates that the governor ordered someone to tell Paul to come. That person went and brought Paul to the governor. Here the word called does not refer to someone shouting to Paul. See the above examples.
Tertullus opened the prosecution: The Greek words are literally “Tertullus began to accuse, saying.” The words that Tertullus spoke are in 24:2b–6b. The Berean Standard Bible indicates that connection with a colon (:) at the end of 24:2a. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: (Revised Standard Version) -or-
Tertullus began the prosecution in these words: (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English) -or-
Tertullus spoke to accuse him/Paul. He said, -or-
Tertullus began to make his accusation, as follows: (Good News Translation)
opened the prosecution: This phrase describes the process of a lawyer trying to convince the judge that someone is guilty. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
began to accuse Paul -or-
began to declare how Paul was guilty
24:2b–3b
These two sentences are partly true but mostly flattery (excessive praise of someone to cause him to like you or what you want to say). Some flattery was expected when beginning to speak to a Roman judge. Use words, phrases or a style of language that would help gain the favor of the judge.
24:2b
Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace: The Greek words are literally “Having gained much peace through you.” It indicates that Felix ruled in a way that caused people to live in peace. Tertullus and the Jewish leaders appreciated that peace.
But this clause is also flattery. Felix dealt severely and cruelly with Jewish civil disturbances, Jews claiming to be the Messiah, a group of Jewish assassins, and groups of thieves. Tertullus only said that life was peaceful as a way to flatter Felix. But Felix probably knew it was flattery. Translate in a way that indicates or allows flattery here. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Since we have through you attained much peace (New American Standard Bible) -or-
you have provided a long period of peace for us (New Living Translation (2004)) -or-
through your wise leadership we have lasting peace (God’s Word)
a lasting peace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lasting is literally “much.” By this time Felix had ruled Judea for about five years. The Greek word can mean “a lot of” or “a long time of.” As flattery, Tertullus may have implied either or both. Translate in a way that implies either or both.
24:2c
your foresight has brought improvements to this nation: Felix dealt severely with Jewish troublemakers, and many Jews became more and more upset with him. Tertullus referred to his actions in general as improvements, which would flatter Felix. Saying that Felix had foresight would also flatter him. Translate in a way that indicates or allows flattery here. Other ways to translate this clause are:
reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight (New Revised Standard Version) -or-
by your foresight,…reforms are being made for this nation (English Standard Version) -or-
You have planned ahead and done much to improve this country
foresight: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foresight refers to thinking about the future, understanding what will likely happen, and planning appropriately. It also refers to providing help to others. Tertullus claimed that Felix planned for future needs of the nation of Israel. Other ways to translate this word are:
planning ahead -or-
wise leadership (Good News Translation) -or-
wise help (New Century Version)
improvements: This word refers to correcting problems for the people in a region. Here it may refer to reducing corruption, improving laws, providing better roads, and such. For example:
improved conditions of living (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
this nation: Here this phrase refers to Israel. It is not known whether Tertullus was a Jew or not, so do not translate this phrase as “our nation.”
Some languages do not have a word for the meaning of nation. If that is true in your language, refer to the Jews as people grouped by language, culture, and religion. For example:
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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