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 (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 If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior.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.”

(Source: Faye Edgerton in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 25ff. )

See also king (Japanese honorifics).

Translation commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:8

I also gathered for myself silver and gold: the verb gathered suggests amassing large amounts of these precious metals of silver and gold. In this case the two precious metals are meant, and if possible they should be translated as such. However, in those cultural groups that do not have a term for one or the other, the two terms can be combined into one term, “wealth.” This can give a translation such as “I became extremely wealthy” or “I amassed silver and gold.” In this context some languages may find it unnecessary to translate for myself.

Foreign monarchs and empires paid tribute to Qoheleth. This is the meaning of the phrase the treasure of kings and provinces. It suggests that Qoheleth ruled a vast and powerful empire—perhaps another reference to the “Solomon” model. Provinces is a loan word to Hebrew, an Aramaic word found in some of the later Old Testament books, especially Esther and Daniel. It describes political districts within the Babylonian and Persian empires, obviously much later than the time of Solomon. Qoheleth claims that he received wealth from foreign nations who recognized his rule. So from inside his empire and from outsiders, Qoheleth amassed a vast fortune. We can translate his meaning as “kings and foreign powers handed over their treasures” or “foreign kings and states paid tribute to me.”

I got singers, both men and women: in 2 Sam 19.35 the word singers describes those who provided entertainment for the wealthy classes. Qoheleth says that he “made” singers, meaning that he acquired or organized them for this purpose. He uses the verb “made” since it is one of the keywords for this section, as was pointed out in comments on verse 4. We may translate it as “organized.” Translators should note Living Bible‘s addition, “In the cultural arts…,” and be warned to avoid this kind of expansion of the text.

The concluding phrase and many concubines, man’s delight raises many problems. The Hebrew text is literally “exquisite delights of the sons of man,” followed by a phrase that is difficult to understand (siddah we siddoth). Revised Standard Version places the last phrase first, rendering it many concubines (New International Version “harem”). As the root sdh does not occur anywhere else, it is difficult to fix its meaning absolutely, but the context almost demands that sexual pleasure is its sense here. This is quite appropriate when we recognize that Solomon is the model for much of this book (see 1 Kgs 11.3). The Hebrew phrase consists of a singular plus a plural form of the noun siddah; such a construction probably indicates a large number, hence the rendering many. If “concubine” is a term that is not known or used in the translator’s language, then “women” can be used.

Man’s delight: though the Hebrew phrase is unusual, its general sense is clear, namely, “what delights any man.”

Two possible models for translation are:

• I amassed silver and gold; kings and foreign powers gave me their treasures. I organized groups of male and female singers, and as for women,* I enjoyed as many of them as any man could want.

• I became extremely wealthy. I was entertained by men and women singers, and enjoyed many concubines,* the delight of any man.

Possible footnote:
*The Hebrew is obscure. Some versions translate “concubines,” while some refer to wealth. Most see a reference to sexual pleasures.

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 .