self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (Genesis 12:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 12:19:

  • Kankanaey: “Why did you (sing.) say only that you (pl.) were a sibling-unit and you (sing.) permitted that I take-her-into-my-home-as-wife? Here is your (sing.) spouse. Call-her so-that you will depart (particle of strong disapproval)!'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Why did you say that she was your younger sister? That was the reason I brought her here to make her [my] wife. This is your wife, take her and go.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Why did- you -say that you were-siblings? That is why I took her to-become my wife. Now, here is your wife, get her and you (pl.) go-away!'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Why did you lie, saying she is your sister, with the result that I took her to be my wife? You should not have done that! So now take your wife, leave here and go!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 12:19

The question in this verse is more direct, in that the king cites Abram’s own words: Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? If the direct quotation must be adjusted, we may say “Why did you say that she was your sister?” Some languages prefer to say “You said to me ‘Sarai is my sister.’ Why did you say that?” or “… why did you not tell the truth?” or idiomatically “Why did your tongue not speak straight?” or “Why did you talk with a double tongue?”

So that I took her for my wife: this clause must fit with what comes before it in both logic and style. Note Good News Translation “and let me take her as my wife.” The narrator thus presents the Egyptian king as morally superior to the shamed Abram, who remains speechless.

The transition in the second part of the verse represents the climax of the episode. It introduces the king’s decision. Revised Standard Version represents it as Now then …. In some languages an expression like “That is all,” “I have spoken,” “Your ears have heard my words,” will be appropriate. Some languages will emphasize the swiftness of the king’s judgment without any kind of verbal transition. Good News Translation “Here is your wife…” is an example, as is New English Bible “Here she is….”

Here is your wife: the narrator gives a picture of Sarai as being silently close by, to be handed over to Abram.

Take her, and be gone: the swift closing of the king’s speech brings the tense scene to an end. Good News Translation is appropriate with “Take her and get out.” Since Sarai is present while the king is speaking, many languages will find it more natural to include her in the order to go: “Take your wife, and you-two go!”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .