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)

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:57

Then I arose and walked in the field, giving great glory and praise to the Most High because of his wonders, which he did from time to time: For the field, see 2 Esd 9.26. Box (page 620) thinks that during this time the heavenly city was still visible to Ezra, and he spent his time contemplating it (see 2 Esd 10.55). However, there is nothing in the text that directly suggests this. The verb arose should probably be taken literally here. Ezra had a dream while asleep, and nothing since he woke up has said that he actually got up. Wonders, which he did from time to time is literally “wonders, which he did through time,” which refers to God’s continuous marvels, not just to things he decides to do occasionally or whenever he decides to do so (so Good News Bible). An alternative model for this verse is:

• So I got up and went walking in the field, praising God Most High with all my strength for the wonderful things he is constantly doing.

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.