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 7:77

For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times: The conjunction For introduces why Ezra should not include himself among sinners. It is because he has done many good things, which God knows about. Good News Bible renders this connector as “After all.” Ezra’s good works are described as a treasure in heaven that Ezra will not receive until the end time (compare 2 Esd 6.5; 8.33, 36; 13.56; Matt 6.20; 19.21; 1 Tim 6.17-19). The model below suggests an approach to this verse that avoids the metaphor of the treasure. Translators who are not troubled with this figure of speech may follow Good News Bible with confidence. For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. Here is our model for this verse:

• For you have done many good things, and God Most High knows about every one of them. But you will have to wait until the end of time to receive your reward.

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.