voice (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-koe (御声) or “voice (of God)” in the referenced verses. This is used specifically to refer to the “voice” of God or used in a reference of God saying something.

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

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 1 Samuel 12:14

Samuel’s words are similar to those that Moses spoke to the Israelite people in Deut 13.4. The language in this verse echoes themes common in Deuteronomy: hearken to his voice (for example, Deut 1.45; 3.26); rebel against the commandment of the LORD (for example, Deut 1.26, 43; 9.23).

Fear the LORD: the Hebrew verb covers a range of meanings, including “to be afraid,” “to tremble,” “to stand in awe,” and “to have reverence for.” The context here suggests that the sense is not so much “be afraid of” as “revere” (Revised English Bible) or “honor” (Good News Translation).

On the translation of hearken to his voice, see the comments at verse 1.

The negative expression not rebel against may be rendered “not flout” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “instead of defying” (Knox). Or the same idea may be stated positively as “accept” or “obey” (Good News Translation).

The commandment of the LORD is singular in form but collective in meaning. So it will be wise to translate it as a plural, as several modern versions have done (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). This Hebrew word rendered commandment here is the same word translated “mouth” in some contexts, but used here as a figure for commands that come from his mouth.

The Hebrew text does not have the words it will be well, which Revised Standard Version has supplied to complete the sense. Words supplied in other translations include “well and good” (Revised English Bible and New American Bible) and “all will be well” (New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages this information will fit better at the beginning of the verse (Good News Translation) rather than at the end. Something like this is required in most languages, since the Hebrew text contains an “if” clause with five conditions, but without a “then” clause.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .