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).
Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 24:3:
Uma: “All this we (excl.) always put on top of our (excl.) pates [i.e., we keep in mind] and there is no end to our (excl.) saying thank you very, very much.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Everywhere and every time, we (excl.) really accept your help and we (excl.) are very grateful to you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “This is a great source of joy to us and large is our thanks to you.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Therefore no matter where we (excl.) go, big is our (excl.) thanks to you (sing.) continually.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Therefore, all of us (excl.), we (excl.) are really pleased about it and we (excl.) give thanks with big thankfulness.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Huautla Mazatec: “Every day, also everywhere, thus we stand well to you. Twenty times thus we give you grace, you little father Felix.” (“In court procedure among the Mazatecs ‘twenty times’ is the accepted number of times to thank an official in opening up a procedure before him: ‘little father’ is a term of high respect and is equivalent to ‘noble [Felix].’ — Source: Florence Cowan in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 135ff. )
The object of the verb we welcome is not explicitly stated in Greek, though the reference is to the long period of peace and the many necessary reforms that Felix is said to have brought about. The verb is stronger than a translation such as “we accept this” (Revised Standard Version) might suggest; actually the verb may also mean something like “we thank you very much for this.” We are deeply grateful to you translates a noun phrase (“with all gratitude”), qualifying the verb “we welcome this.”
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 .
In 24:2, Tertullus gave reasons for thanking Felix. In this verse he thanked him. In some languages adding the conjunction “therefore” would be more natural.
In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude: The term of address, most excellent Felix, is in the middle of the sentence. It is more natural in some languages to have this phrase at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
Most excellent Felix, in every way and everywhere, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
24:3a
In every way and everywhere: This phrase is flattery. Tertullus claims here that the Jews always acknowledge that Felix has ruled well. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
Whenever we can -or-
everywhere and at all times (Good News Translation) -or-
always (Contemporary English Version)
most excellent Felix: The phrase most excellent is a title that shows respect. It was a proper title to use when speaking to a Roman judge. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
Felix, your excellency, -or-
most noble Felix (King James Version) -or-
Honorable Felix (Contemporary English Version) -or-
Respected Governor Felix
24:3b
we acknowledge this: The word this refers to what Tertullus said in 24:2. In some languages, it is more natural to use the word “that” or “those.” For example:
we acknowledge those things
acknowledge: The usual meaning of this Greek word is “welcome.” The Jews say that they are happy about what Felix has done as governor. They accept those reforms as good. Other ways to translate this word are:
accept (English Standard Version) -or-
welcome (New Revised Standard Version) -or-
appreciate (God’s Word) -or-
give thanks
all gratitude: Tertullus claimed they were completely grateful for the peace and reforms. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
all thankfulness (New American Standard Bible) -or-
very grateful (New Living Translation (2004)) -or-
thank you very much (God’s Word)
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®).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.