Japanese benefactives (sukutte)

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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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, sukutte (救って) or “save/deliver” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("say")

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 3:17

At that time (so Revised English Bible) is translated “When that time comes” by Good News Translation.

Jerusalem shall be called (literally “they will call Jerusalem”) may be translated as an active: “people will call Jerusalem” (Luther 1984).

The throne of the LORD identifies Jerusalem as the place from which the LORD will exercise his rule. Many translators will retain the form, much as Good News Translation has: “… will be called ‘The Throne of the LORD.’ ” Others will find it more helpful for readers to make the function clear, as in “… will be known as the place from where God rules.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates the first clause of this verse as “Since all Jerusalem is then my throne.”

All nations means “everyone” or “All people” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Shall gather to it may more naturally be “shall gather there.”

To the presence of the LORD is more literally “in the name of the LORD,” but this refers to the spiritual worship of the LORD, perhaps in contrast to the ark of the past mentioned in verse 16, so New International Version translates “to honor the name of the LORD.” Since the LORD’s name represents the LORD himself, Good News Translation translates “to worship [the LORD].” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “All people will come and gather there with me.” In few languages would it be necessary to repeat in Jerusalem.

And they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart represents “and they will not walk again after the stubbornness of their evil heart.” The meaning may be expressed in a number of different ways: “never again will they follow the promptings of their evil and stubborn hearts” (Revised English Bible), “living no longer by the stubbornness of their evil minds” (Moffatt), and “They will no longer do what their stubborn and evil hearts tell them” (Good News Translation). For those cultures where heart would be unnatural, “conscience” or “mind” might be better. Heart for the Jews was the place of reflection and contemplation, not of emotion.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .