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 8:48 - 8:49

Here Uriel seems to be speaking, so translators may indicate this by beginning verse 48 with “Then the angel Uriel said” or “Then Uriel spoke up [or, interjected].” Once again the writer makes no distinction between God and the angel who delivers God’s message.

But even in this respect you will be praiseworthy before the Most High: But even in this respect may be rendered “But even so” or simply “Yet” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. This clause may be translated “Yet you deserve the praise of God Most High” or “Yet you deserve to have God Most High praise you.”

Because you have humbled yourself, as is becoming for you: Ezra should not think too lightly of his own righteousness, but in doing so he has at least shown humility. These two clauses may be rendered “because you are humble, and that is the proper thing to do” or “It is proper for you to be humble.”

And have not deemed yourself to be among the righteous may be translated “and you have not just assumed that you are righteous” or “and not boasted by thinking of yourself as righteous” (Good News Bible).

In order to receive the greatest glory: Here the word glory refers to a reward in heaven (compare 2 Esd 7.95). This clause may be expressed as “in order to receive the greatest reward in heaven” or more clearly “so that God will have to give you a greater reward in heaven than anyone else.” Ezra has not been so presumptuous as to assume that he is entitled to a place among the righteous with God in heaven. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote on this clause involves a translational matter, so it is not needed.

We suggest the following alternative model for these two verses:

• 48 The angel Uriel said [or, interjected], “But even so, you deserve the praise of God Most High. 49 It is proper for you to be humble. You have not just assumed that you are so righteous that God will have to give a greater reward in heaven to you than to anyone else.

If translators believe God is speaking here (so Contemporary English Version), another possible model is:

• 48 Yet I, God Most High, am very pleased with you, 49 since you are humble and this is the proper thing to do. You have not just assumed that you are so righteous that I will have to give you the greatest reward in heaven.

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.