signs and wonders

The now commonly-used German idiom Zeichen und Wunder (literally “signs and wonders”), which today is primarily used with the meaning that something unexpected happens against rational expectations, was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)

For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

Most High

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “he the completely glorified God”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Father God who is high in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has such tremendous authority”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “he who is the native of the highest place”
  • Palantla Chinantec: “the Big God Himself”
  • Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “God who has authority over all”
  • Estado de México Otomi: “most exalted God”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “God who is in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has a great rule” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Sa’a: “God, the Surpassing One” (source: Carl Gross)
  • Elhomwe: Mulluku Muullupalli or “God the Great” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Chichewa: Wammwambamwamba: A name of God. While this word is difficult to translate into English, its sense implies that God is highly above everything in his power and greatness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (Daniel 4:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 4:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Listen attentively as I tell you things and matters of wonder that the God of authority has showed to me.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I rejoice because I have a chance to tell you about the amazing signs and amazing deeds that the Most High God has done for me. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I want to tell you of the miracles and amazing things done to me by the Most High God.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “I want you to know about all the wonderful miracles that the Supreme God has performed for me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Honorary "are" construct denoting God (“do/perform”)

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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, okonaw-are-ru (行われる) or “do/perform” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Daniel 4:2

It has seemed good to me: or “It pleases me.” Moffatt perhaps captures the flavor a bit better with “It is my royal pleasure….” Another way of saying this in some languages may be “I thought it would be a good idea to describe….” Note that New Revised Standard Version has modified the word order by placing this part at the end of the verse: “… I am pleased to recount.”

Signs and wonders: although two different Aramaic words are used here, there was probably no thought of two separate and distinct kinds of happenings. The two terms may be adequately translated as “wonderful miracles” (Anchor Bible) or “miraculous signs.” In many languages it is not unnatural to use two different terms to speak of a single kind of event. An additional reason for translating by two distinct terms is the fact that the same two terms are used again in the poetic setting of the following verse as seemingly separate items. The corresponding Hebrew phrase containing two words can be found in Exo 7.3; Deut 4.34; 6.22; and Isa 8.18 (“signs and portents”). And a similar pair of words is found frequently in the New Testament (Mark 13.22 and John 4.48, for example).

Most High God: see 3.26.

Has wrought toward me: the English of Revised Standard Version is archaic and the Good News Translation rendering “has shown me” may be subject to misunderstanding. The verb here seems to speak of things actually done and not just shown to Nebuchadnezzar. Anchor Bible renders this expression “has performed in my regard,” which is quite similar to New International Version “has performed for me.” New Revised Standard Version gives a revision of Revised Standard Version: “has worked for me.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .