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)

complete verse (Daniel 7:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 7:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “But the kingship will be given to the people of the God of authority and (it) will remain/stay forever.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Eventually the holy people of the Most High God will reign. They will have authority over it forever and ever.’"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But the holy-ones of the Most High God will-be-given authority to rule/reign continually without end.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But the Supreme God will give power/authority to his people to rule, and they shall rule forever.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 7:18

But: the connecting word is important here. And in some cases it will have to be strengthened by an accompanying adverb. One possibility is to say “But eventually” or “After them (the four kingdoms)” as in Bible en français courant. New Jerusalem Bible has simply “Then.”

The saints of the Most High: New Revised Standard Version renders saints as “the holy ones.” The reference here is to those who are faithful to the true God, namely, the people of Israel. But within the framework of this apocalyptic vision it is unwise to say this too clearly, although it is probably a good idea to make it clear that “people” are involved. The expression translated the Most High is actually a plural (“the most high ones”), but it is most likely a plural of majesty that should be rendered as a singular. Compare 3.26 and 4.17.

Receive … and possess: the repetition of the word kingdom after each of these two verbs will be unnatural in many languages. But the two verbs do focus on two somewhat different aspects, the first having to do with receiving royal power, and the second with retaining it.

For ever, for ever and ever: the Aramaic formula used here is way of expressing an absolute superlative. These words serve to emphasize the fact that the people of God will always keep the power that he gives to them.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .