complete verse (Exodus 2:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 21:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “But if a slave says that, ‘I love my master plus my wife and my children and I do not accept being released,’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If the servant says, ‘I love my master and my wife and my children and do not want to go.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘But if the slaves says that he loves his master, his wife and children, and he does-not want to-be-free,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “‘But if that laborer says, ‘I very much love my chief and my spouse and children, and so I don’t want to leave them and go,’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “But, if slave will say ‹I love my chief, and my wife, and my children. I not alone will go.›” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “But when it is time for the slave to be set free, if the slave says, ‘I love my master and my wife and my children, and I do not want to be set free,’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

master (Japanese honorifics)

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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 to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by using the formal title –sama. This is distinct from nominal titles such as “master.” This is evident from the forms such as go-shujin-sama (ご主人様) “master” or “lord” which is the combination of the nominal title shujin “master” with the honorific prefix go- and the suffix title –sama.

In some cases, it can also be used as go-shujin (ご主人), i.e. with the honorific prefix go- but without the suffix title –sama. You can find that in Genesis 23:6, 23:11, 23:15, 24:51, 39:8, 39:9, 44:8, 44:9; 1 Samuel 25:17; and 2 Kings 2:16 and 4:26.

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

See also lords (Japanese honorifics).

Translation commentary on Exod 21:5

But if, literally “and if,” now uses the word ʾim for the fifth time for an alternative to verse 4. Plainly says is literally “saying he says,” a Hebrew form that strengthens the force of the verb. So Good News Translation and others have “if the slave declares.” Durham has “says earnestly.” I love my master uses the common word for love that can apply to wife and children, and so Contemporary English Version has “But suppose the slave loves his wife and children so much.” Revised English Bible and New American Bible prefer to use “I am devoted to.” If a language has a number of words for love, the idea of “devotion” or “attachment” should be used in this context.

I will not go out free is not a demand but a choice. Since he has no claim over his wife and children, it may be better to say “I do not wish to go free” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “I do not wish to be released” (Translator’s Old Testament). This is still an incomplete sentence that continues with the next verse.

An alternative translation model is the following:

• But if the slave declares, “I am devoted to you, my wife [or, woman], and my children. I don’t want you to set me free,” ….

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .