Whom do you surpass in beauty?: Since God was speaking to Ezekiel in the previous verse, it may appear at first sight that this question is addressed to Ezekiel. In fact, it is a question that Ezekiel asks of the nation of Egypt, or perhaps its king. Many translations seek to make this clear by beginning this verse with “Say to them” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version) or “Tell them” (New International Reader’s Version). The question itself is ambiguous. Many translations leave it as a real question, giving no hint of how to understand it (so Revised Standard Version, New American Bible). Some translations take it as a rhetorical question referring to Egypt’s opinion of itself; for example, Good News Translation says “Do you think you are more beautiful than anyone else?” Others take it as a rhetorical question implying that Egypt is better than others; for example, Contemporary English Version has “You may be more beautiful than the people of other nations.” For still others it is a rhetorical question implying that Egypt is no better than others; for example, New Living Translation translates “O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No!” Given the ambiguity of this question, it is difficult to recommend any of these alternatives with confidence, but on balance we think that the last example is most likely. However, translators should feel free to decide which of these makes most sense in their language. In addition, if the language requires it, it is acceptable to rephrase the rhetorical question as a statement, for example, “You think you are more beautiful than others,” “You are more beautiful than others,” “You’re no more beautiful than others,” or “O Egypt, you are certainly not more lovely than any other nation.” The statement chosen depends on which of the second, third or fourth alternatives is chosen. Although beauty often refers to physical beauty, here it is figurative and refers to the greatness and glory that Egypt had. In many cultures the concept of beauty will not be appropriate for a nation or a country. If so, a more general term may be used; for example, New International Reader’s Version renders this question as “Are you any better than others?”

Go down, and be laid with the uncircumcised: Ezekiel continues to speak to the nation of Egypt here. Go down means go into the underworld, where the dead people are. This is a command in Hebrew, but in some languages a simple future may be more appropriate; for example, Good News Translation has “You will go down to the world of the dead.” Be laid is literally “be put to bed,” which renders a rare form of the Hebrew verb meaning “lie down.” Ezekiel describes existence in the world of the dead in terms of lying in a bed. New American Standard Bible, Jerusalem Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible reflect this by saying “make your bed.” Other translations have “lie there” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) or “Lie down” (New International Reader’s Version). For the significance of being buried with the uncircumcised, that is, being condemned to the lowest part of the underworld, see the comments on 28.10.

A model for this verse is:

• Say to them, ‘Go down to the place of the dead and lie there with the people who do not know God.’

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .