Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Isaiah 30:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 30:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, they shall have nothing to say (be speechless)
    because they trust in the powers of Pharao
    and they are lost in their thinking (confused)
    because they trust in that land of Egypt.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But you will fall into shame because of Pharaoh’s protection,
    then taking refuge in the land of Egypt, you will become disgraced.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But they will- only -be-put-to- shame for asking protection from the king of Egipto.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

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

Translation commentary on Isaiah 30:3

The people of Judah rely on Egypt, but this will lead to their humiliation since Egypt will not be able to protect them. The connector Therefore (literally “And”) introduces this verse as a result of God’s judgment of Judah in the previous two verses. Good News Translation restructures verses 1-2, so it begins with the connector “But” to show the contrast between what Judah expected and what will actually happen. This is an acceptable model.

Shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame: Pharaoh will not be able to fulfill his promise of protection to the people of Judah, so this will lead to their downfall, causing them shame. Bible en français courant has “the protection by Pharaoh will only bring you disappointment,” and Revised English Bible says “Pharaoh’s protection will lead to humiliation.” Translators should render the protection of Pharaoh in the same way as in verse 2. The pronoun your refers to the rebellious people of Judah. Since they are referred to in the third person in verses 1-2, Good News Translation also does it here with the pronoun “them.” Other languages may find this helpful.

And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation: This line is parallel and synonymous with the previous one. It lacks a verb, so some languages may need to provide one by saying “the shelter … will bring you humiliation.” For the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, see Isa 30.2.

For the translation of this verse we suggest the following examples:

• Therefore the protection you expect from the king of Egypt will lead to your humiliation,
your shelter in Egypt’s shadow will be your downfall.

• So Pharaoh’s protection will bring about your humiliation,
your shelter in Egypt’s shadow will be your disgrace.

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 .