The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the HausaCommon Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.
Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
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:
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 (Dinė) 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 If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior.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.”
Happy … introduces the positive statement, which balances the negative “Woe…” in the previous verse. It describes the benefit, the good fortune that results when people are ruled by those whose appetites are under control. Good News Translation renders it as “fortunate.” Other possibilities are “blessed” (New American Bible) or “contented.”
The son of free men is a phrase based on an Aramaic root describing a person of noble birth. A person with this kind of background is usually familiar with the requirements and costs of leading a nation. However, it does not always follow that such a noble birth produces good and able leaders every time, or that the king alone sets the standard for the entire nation. Qoheleth is aware of that, so his example goes on to describe the situation further by adding certain conditions. Good News Translation “who makes his own decisions” is a strange rendering of the Hebrew, so we advise against following it.
And your princes feast at the proper time: this is a further requirement for enlightened leadership. Not only the king but the princes as well must be ready to serve in the proper way. See verse 16 for princes. At the proper time is literally “at the time.” In 3.1-8 Qoheleth has discussed how certain activities are appropriate to certain times, so time really means that it is the right or appropriate time for an activity. Compare New English Bible “at the right time of day.” It is a mark of wisdom to know when it is appropriate to do things. So here Qoheleth suggests that the noble person eats, or “feasts,” only when he should. His eating is under control, and so he demonstrates his wisdom in this practical way. Though the same word “eat” is used in the previous verse and here, it may be helpful to use two different verbs in the translation to bring out the contrast: “those who feast from early in the morning” (verse 16) over against “those who eat at the proper time.” The first use of the verb has the sense of overeating, while the second does not.
For strength: the person who eats to maintain energy and strength, who is not a glutton, shows discipline. The chances are therefore high that such a person will be a good leader. The translator should be careful to express this thought in a natural way. Not many languages will be able to translate for strength literally. A longer verbal expression may be appropriate; “to stay strong” or “to keep healthy” are possibilities.
And not for drunkenness! provides further evidence that a good leader knows when and how to truly enjoy food and drink. Such a person does not drink too much. We notice the link that Qoheleth makes between controlled or wise eating and drinking on the one hand, and his calls to enjoy life on the other. The latter are also expressed in terms of eating and drinking in 2.24; 3.13; 5.18; and so on. Drunkenness is what the simple noun for “drinking” means in this context. Here again a verbal expression, “and not to get drunk,” may be clearer. Good News Translation adds “who control themselves…,” bringing out the clear sense of the text. These two verses provide good examples of the value of wisdom as expressed in 9.17.
A possible translation model for this verse is:
• Fortunate is the country whose king [or, leader] is of noble birth, whose princes [or, officials] feast only when they should. They eat wisely to keep strong and never get drunk.
If a more formal translation is desired:
• Fortunate, you are,
People whose king comes from a noble family,
Whose leaders eat [and drink] when the time is right—
To gain strength, rather than to get drunk.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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