Japanese benefactives (ohairi)

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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, ohairi (お入り) or “enter” 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. )

Japanese benefactives (tachiagatte)

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

Here, tachiagatte (立ち上がって) or “rise” 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. )

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 6:41

And now: This verse begins with the same transition word as the previous verse but with the common Hebrew conjunction before it. Some versions leave the conjunction And untranslated (so New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible).

Arise, O LORD God, and go to thy resting place: The Hebrew verb rendered arise is often used to mean “take action,” which is the sense it has here. It should not to be understood literally as implying that God had been seated or lying down. Revised Standard Version has supplied the verb go; it is not in the Hebrew but is only implied. It seems more appropriate to use “come” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Parole de Vie) or “enter” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation), since Solomon is praying in the Temple. Thy resting place refers to the Temple as God’s permanent place in which to live. Good News Translation renders this phrase as “stay here forever.”

The repetition of O LORD God in this verse may be troublesome in some languages. If so, the second occurrence may be omitted as in Good News Translation.

The ark of thy might refers to the ark of the covenant as a symbol of Yahweh’s power. Seated upon the ark, God led the people of Israel to victory in battles (see Num 10.35; 1 Sam 4.3-8). New Century Version says “the Ark of the Agreement that shows your strength,” and New Living Translation has “the Ark, the symbol of your power” (similarly Good News Translation).

Let thy priests … be clothed with salvation: In addition to the sometimes troublesome passive verb here, this whole expression may be difficult for translators because of the unusual imagery. In many languages it will be impossible to speak of being clothed with salvation. The Hebrew word for salvation may refer to God’s deliverance or blessing in this context. If the passive is transformed to an active expression, God should be considered the agent. God’s Word, for example, translates “Clothe your priests … with salvation.” But if this imagery is problematic, a possible nonfigurative translation is “Let your priests receive your salvation” (New Century Version), “May your priests … experience your deliverance” ( NET Bible), or “Bless your priests in all they do” (Good News Translation). Parole de Vie attempts to keep the imagery, but tries to make it more meaningful by translating “May your salvation cover your priests like a garment!”

And let thy saints rejoice in thy goodness: Thy saints refers to the people who belonged to God, the people of Israel. The Hebrew word for saints means “loyal,” “devoted” or “pious,” so this phrase may be best translated “those who are faithful to you” (Contemporary English Version), “your loyal servants” (Revised English Bible), or “your holy people” (New Century Version). It should be clear in translation that this expression is more inclusive than thy priests in the previous line; it includes the people in general as well as the priests. A possible model for this whole line is “and may your loyal people rejoice because of your goodness to them.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .