Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 43:13:
Kupsabiny: “I am God and I am like that forever. No one shall snatch anything from my hands, and no one can prevent/stop/block what I am doing.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “I am God and always will be. No one can deliver you out from my hand When I do work, is anyone able to reverse it?"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “From the time-past I am already God. No one can-flee from my hands. No one can change/undo what I am doing.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
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 first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
I am God: This clause is at the end of the previous verse in the Hebrew text (so New International Version, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). There is no textual reason for placing it at the beginning of this verse, but many versions do it to ensure a smooth connection with what follows. As in verse 10, the Hebrew word for God is the generic term ʾel.
And also henceforth I am He is literally “also from today I am he.” New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible emend the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text to read “from eternity,” instead of “from today.” This reading follows the Septuagint. New International Version is similar with “from ancient days,” and so is Revised English Bible with “from everlasting.” Since Dead Sea Scrolls supports Masoretic Text here, translators should follow it (so RSV/NRSV, Good News Translation, New English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). This is also the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. The Hebrew particle rendered and also is an emphatic marker that may be rendered “indeed.” New International Version translates it “Yes” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible), but most modern versions omit it. For I am He, see the comments on verse 10. Good News Translation provides a helpful model for the first line of this verse, saying “I am God and always will be” (similarly Bible en français courant).
There is none who can deliver from my hand: The figurative language here can mean that there is no one who can escape from God’s power (so Good News Translation). Another possible sense is that no one can prevent God from doing what he plans to do. The following parallel line supports this meaning. Bible en français courant expresses it with “No one will force my hand.”
I work and who can hinder it?: This rhetorical question is literally “I work and who can bring/turn it back?” God makes a strong statement here, saying no one can undo what he has done. New International Version expresses this line well with “When I act, who can reverse it?” (similarly Bible en français courant).
Translation examples for this verse are:
• “I am God. 13 From here on I am He.
There is no one who can prevent me doing what I plan;
I act, and can anyone change that?”
• “I am God. 13 Henceforth I am He.
There isn’t anyone who can force me to give up my plan,
no one can alter what I do.”
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.