formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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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 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. )

Japanese benefactives (chikatte)

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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, chikatte (誓って) or “swear” 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 "rare" construct denoting God ("order/command")

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 usage of an honorific construction where the morphemes rare (られ) or are (され) are 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, meiji-rare-ru (命じられる) or “order/command” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Joshua 2:12

The Hebrew particle translated Now is used to strengthen the urgency of Rahab’s request; it is not a temporal marker.

By him is literally “by the LORD” (Revised Standard Version), but since the Lord has last been referred to by name at the end of the previous verse, it is more natural in English to follow with a pronominal reference as Good News Translation has done.

Now swear by him may be rendered “Now make me a (solemn) promise in the name of your God.”

Rahab gets the spies to promise that she and her family will be spared when the Israelites destroy Jericho. In verse 12 treat … kindly (Revised Standard Version “deal kindly”) translates the verb “do,” followed by a word which more often means “goodness, love, loyalty”; it is a word particularly appropriate in the context of an agreement, a pact, a covenant, and it characterizes the spirit of faithfulness and loyalty with which each party of the covenant will follow its stipulations.

It may be helpful to rearrange this verse in a somewhat chronological order, such as “I have shown kindness to you. Now swear by the LORD your God that you will treat my family with the same kindness.”

My family translates the Hebrew phrase “the house of my father.” The next verse defines the extent of Rahab’s “family”; in translation one should be careful not to use a term which might include merely the immediate family, since the extended family is obviously intended.

And give me some sign that I can trust you translates a passage which is lacking in the Septuagint; some commentators believe it is not original, but it is in the Hebrew text. The red cord in verse 18 is the sign (or signal).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2:12

Paragraph 2:12-14

Rahab asked the spies to spare her and her family. The spies promised to do this if she helped them escape.

2:12a

Now therefore: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now therefore can also be translated “so” or “then.” It shows that Rahab’s request was urgent. It is not a time word. Choose an appropriate way to express this in your language.

please swear to me: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as swear can also be translated “promise.” It is used here in the sense of taking an oath. This verb is also used in 1:6c where God is the one who swore. In this verse the two Israelite men are the ones who swear.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

promise(dual)
-or-
make an oath
-or-
pledge

by the LORD: The phrase by the LORD indicates that the person makes an oath or promise in the name of Yahweh. He says that he expects Yahweh to punish him if he does not keep his promise.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

So now take an oath in the name of Yahweh
-or-
Therefore, promise me by the name of Yahweh
-or-
So, promise me, and may Yahweh punish you if you do not keep the promise.

2:12b

you will indeed show kindness: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will indeed show kindness is more literally “and you will do, also you, ḥesed.” The emphatic pronoun emphasizes that the Israelites should show loyalty to her as she has done to them. Use a term or grammatical marker that is natural to show this emphasis in your language.

The expression show kindness uses the same Hebrew word ḥesed as in 12c. You should translate it the same way in both places.

to my family: The phrase to my family refers to Rahab and her family.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

you in turn will show loyalty to my family (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
You yourselves will also treat my family kindly
-or-
You will act as faithfully to my family as I have acted faithfully to you

2:12c

because I showed kindness to you: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I showed kindness to you is more literally “I have done ḥesed with you.” The Hebrew word ḥesed is a key biblical term. It means that one is loyal to a covenant relationship. It includes the meanings of faithfulness and loyalty. Consider what is the most appropriate word in your language in this context.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Since I have shown loyalty to you (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Because I have treated you kindly
-or-
Because I have acted faithfully with you

2:12d

Give me a sure sign: The Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a sure sign is more literally “a sign of faithfulness.”

Here are some ways to translate this expression:

give me a sign that I can trust
-or-
do something so that I can be certain that you will do what you promised

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