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 21:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 21:26:

  • Newari: “Then Abimelech said — ‘Only just now have I heard about this. Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?’ I did not know that anyone had done this.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Abimelec said, ‘I do- not -know who did that. You also have- not -told me, and I just heard it now.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But Abimelech said, ‘I do not know who has done that. You did not tell me previously, and I did not hear about it until today.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 21:26

Abimelech expresses his ignorance of what Abraham is complaining about: I do not know who has done this thing. This thing refers to the seizing of the well, and so we may say, for example, “I do not know who took this well.” In some translations this is expressed idiomatically; for instance, “I don’t know about this. Who might have done it?”

Abimelech then places some of the blame on Abraham for not reporting it to him: you did not tell me. This may have to be completed in translation to say, for example, “you did not tell me about this” or “you did not tell me that my servants had taken this well.”

Furthermore Abimelech says he could not have done anything, because I have not heard of it until today; that is, “I have only heard of it today for the first time” or “only right here and now have I heard about it.”

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 .