inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Isa 10:29)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai translation uses the inclusve pronoun, including everyone.

complete verse (Isaiah 10:29)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 10:29:

  • Kupsabiny: “They crossed where one passes through
    and slept at Geba.
    The people who were in the city of Ramah were scared,
    and the people of Gibeah fled
    that (city) which was the city of Saul.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They are going by way of the pass.
    And right now they say, "We will take shelter in Geba."
    Those living in Ramah tremble.
    And all the people of Gibeah hometown of king Saul’s, run away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They passed-through on the over-pass, and slept there at Geba. Those who-came-from-Rama became-afraid, and the residents of Gibea which is the town of King Saul had-fled.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 10:29

They have crossed over the pass. The Assyrians continue to move south There is a play on the word for “pass over” here in Hebrew. The word pass usually refers to a gap or a way through a mountainous area, often in the form of a narrow valley. It is not clear what mountain pass is in view here. Translators may say “they made their way through the mountain[s].”

At Geba they lodge for the night: The town of Geba was in northern Judah, so the Assyrians have now crossed into Judah’s own territory. They are closing in on Jerusalem. The phrase lodge for the night highlights that they are advancing steadily. They do not intend to stay long in Geba.

Ramah trembles, Gibe-ah of Saul has fled: The nearby towns of Ramah and Gibe-ah are afraid. The population of the town of Ramah (Samuel’s hometown; see 1 Sam 8.4) is trembling at the thought of the Assyrians attacking. The people in Gibe-ah have already fled to escape them. Gibe-ah was known as Gibe-ah of Saul because it was King Saul’s birthplace and his capital (see 1 Sam 14.16).

For the translation of this verse we may say:

• They have crossed over the Pass,
they stay the night in Geba;
the people of Ramah quake in fear,
those in Gibeah of Saul have fled.

• They have crossed the mountain pass, they camp overnight in Geba; Ramah’s inhabitants tremble in fear, all those in Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, have [already] run away.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .