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 If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior.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 Daniel 5:7

The king: the pronoun “He” may be more natural here in some languages.

To bring: if it is necessary to say who the order was given to, translators may follow the vague rendering of Good News Translation, “someone,” or say more specifically “his servants.”

The enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers: see the earlier comments on such lists in 2.2, 27. Later in this verse the more general term wise men (see chapter 2) is used to summarize the list. The text does not actually say that these advisors did come in to present themselves before the king, but this may be included as in Good News Translation if necessary.

Interpretation: this word occurs more than thirty times in the Book of Daniel. See comments on 2.4.

Clothed with purple: purple or crimson (a deep red) clothing was extremely expensive due to the nature of the dye involved. So only the most fortunate and wealthy people could afford it. Consequently clothing of this color was symbolic of a very high social status and this is what should be brought out in the translation. Good News Translation attempts to do this with “robes of royal purple.” In some languages there is a special vocabulary to describe clothing worn by a chief or other dignitaries. In other cases the addition of an adjective meaning “expensive” or “luxurious” may be considered.

Have a chain of gold about his neck: this is another sign of wealth and high status. According to some commentators this was not actually a chain but more like a solid metal collar. New American Bible has “golden collar,” and Anchor Bible uses the more difficult English word “torque.” In some languages a single verb can be used for wearing purple clothing and the golden collar. But in others it will be more natural to use two separate verbs for “wearing” clothing and for “wearing” an ornament like a chain or collar around the neck.

Be the third ruler in the kingdom: this Revised Standard Version rendering may possibly be misunderstood as referring to the third in a succession of rulers, or possibly even the ruler of one-third of the kingdom. The meaning, however, is either “third in rank (after the king and the queen mother)” (compare New Revised Standard Version) or “the third highest ruler in the kingdom” (New International Version), or possibly “one of the three men who govern the country” (New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages it may be more natural to say something like “shall become the third most powerful person in the country” or “be promoted to the third highest office in the land” or “one of the three rulers of the kingdom.”

Certain commentators feel that the word usually translated third has lost its numerical value in this context. If this is the case it will be legitimate to translate “one of the principal rulers in the kingdom,” as Bible en français courant has done.

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 .