location (of God) (Japanese honorifics)

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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 to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God, the “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御 or み) can be used, as in mi-moto (みもと) referring to the location (of God) in the referenced verses.

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

Translation commentary on Revelation 12:5

She brought forth a male child: the Greek text says “She gave birth to a son, a male,” which is quite redundant. New Revised Standard Version has “She gave birth to a son, a male child,” an expression that sounds odd in English. Most translations are like Good News Translation; New Jerusalem Bible is able to make it fairly natural, “The woman was delivered of a boy, the son who was…,” and in other languages one may translate in a manner similar to Good News Bible and say “The woman gave birth to a son who will….”

One who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: this uses the language of Psa 2.9 and portrays the child as the Messiah, the one who is chosen by God to rule the world (see also Rev 2.27; 19.15). The Greek auxiliary verb translated is to may indicate that this will happen soon, or that this is in accordance with God’s will; so Revised English Bible “who is destined to rule” (see comments on the verb translated “are about to” in 2.10). The expression to rule … with a rod of iron means to rule with complete authority, ruthlessly defeating all enemies. For the verb translated to rule see 2.27. All the nations may be expressed as “all the people on the earth.”

But: instead of being devoured by the dragon, the newborn child was snatched up to heaven. It may be necessary to state this quite explicitly: “But the dragon did not devour the child (or, boy); instead it (or, he) was snatched up to God.”

Was caught up to God: the passive is used quite deliberately. If an active form must be used, something like “an angel carried the child up…” or “an angel snatched up the child and took him to God…” may be said; or else, with God as agent, “God caused the child to go up….” This same verb in the passive is used in similar contexts in Acts 8.39; 2 Cor 12.2-3; 1 Thes 4.17.

To God and to his throne: not only is the child taken up to God, but to God as the supreme ruler of the universe, to share God’s power. For throne see 1.4b.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• Then she gave birth to a son, who will rule with complete authority over all the people on the earth. But an angel snatched the child (or, boy) up and took him to God and his throne.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:5

12:5a

a son, a male child: The Greek words are literally “a son, a male.” The phrase a male child emphasizes the fact that the child was male. Some languages have another way to emphasize the meaning. For example:

a son, indeed, a boy

In some languages son and male child are translated in the same way. If that is true in your language, translate with only one phrase. For example:

a son (Good News Translation)

If possible, translate the emphasis in another way. See General Comment on 12:5a–b for other ways to translate the emphasis.

12:5b

who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter: This clause tells the reader more about the son. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the woman gave birth to other sons and only this one will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the son. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.

will rule all the nations with an iron scepter: Translate these words as you did in 2:27. They have the same meaning here. If you are unclear as to the meaning, see the notes there. Here these words refer to the son (12:5a), not believers.

nations: Here the word nations can refer to language groups as well as groups under one government. If possible, use a word or phrase that allows either meaning.

General Comment on 12:5a–b

In 12:5a the baby is described as both a son and a male child to emphasize the fact that the child was male. In some languages it is more natural to make the phrase “male child” the subject of the following clause (12:5b). For example:

5a She gave birth to a son. This boy 5b will rule all nations…
-or-

5a The woman was delivered of a boy, 5b the son who was to rule all the nations… (New Jerusalem Bible)

12:5c

This sentence resumes describing the vision from 12:5a.

And: There is some contrast between what the dragon wanted to do (12:4c) and what happened here. In some languages translating the contrast is more natural. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

her child was caught up: Here the word caught up refers to taking the child away quickly and forcefully. He was caught up in order to rescue him from danger. Here the word does not refer to stealing or taking him wrongfully.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably God commanded someone to snatch her child. For example:

⌊God caused/commanded someone to⌋ snatch her child
-or-

⌊someone⌋ quickly took her child

to God and to His throne: In some languages it is more natural to add another verb or verbs here. For example:

and taken to God and to his throne (God’s Word)
-or-
He was taken to God and placed on his throne (Contemporary English Version)

His throne: The pronoun His probably refers to God, but may refer to the child. You should not explain in your translation to whom the word His refers here.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king. It is a symbol of his power to rule. Here the word throne indicates that God rules heaven and earth.

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

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