Most High

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “he the completely glorified God”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Father God who is high in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has such tremendous authority”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “he who is the native of the highest place”
  • Palantla Chinantec: “the Big God Himself”
  • Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “God who has authority over all”
  • Estado de México Otomi: “most exalted God”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “God who is in heaven”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has a great rule” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Sa’a: “God, the Surpassing One” (source: Carl Gross)
  • Elhomwe: Mulluku Muullupalli or “God the Great” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Chichewa: Wammwambamwamba: A name of God. While this word is difficult to translate into English, its sense implies that God is highly above everything in his power and greatness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

creation

The Greek, and Latin that is translated as “creation” in English is translated in Lisu as ꓟꓵ ꓚꓰꓼ ꓟꓲ ꓚꓰꓼ — my tshe mi tshe, verbatim translated as “place — make — earth — make.” This construction follows a traditional four-couplet construct in oral Lisu poetry that is usually in the form ABAC or ABCB. (Source: Arrington 2020, p. 58)

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies creating out of nothing. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Creation” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:26

This is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages: See 2 Esd 12.32 (see also the comments on 2 Esd 3.6). The pronoun he refers to the Messiah. For many ages may be rendered “during the history of the world” (Contemporary English Version) or even “from the time he created the world.”

Who will himself deliver his creation: The Latin text here is ambiguous, but in this context it appears that his creation refers to God’s creation, not the Messiah’s. This clause may be translated “He will set God’s creation free” (Contemporary English Version) or “He will free the world that God created.”

And he will direct those who are left: Once again the pronoun he refers to the Messiah. The verb direct may be expressed as “put things in order [or, prepare things] for.” Those who are left refers to the people alive at the end of time (see verse 16).

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• This is the one whom God Most High has kept ready for many ages. He will set God’s creation free, and prepare things [or, the world] for those who survive at the end.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.