inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Exod 1:9)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.

complete verse (Exodus 1:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 1:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “That ruler told his people that, ‘Behold, these Israelites have produced themselves and increased a lot! They are so many and they have gained strength so that they have threatened us.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He said to his people, ‘Look, Israelites have become more than us. They are being mighty (strong).” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He said to his people, ‘[You (plur.)] look-(around)! The Israelinhon (are) now very many, so our (incl.) situation (is) now dangerous.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And so he spoke to his people like this, ‘Yo, the Israel people became numerous, and their great strength surpasses us (incl.) very much.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Therefore, he said to his people «Look!, people of Israel are greater than us (incl.) with number, and they be strong be greater than us (incl.).” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “He said to his people, ‘Look at what has happened! The Israeli people have become so numerous and so powerful that they now might conquer us!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 1:9

The pronouns he and his refer to the king. His people means the Egyptians rather than the Israelites. It is not certain whether he spoke publicly to all the Egyptians or secretly to his close advisors. If a choice must be made in translation, it is better to have him speak to his advisors; for example: “He discussed this problem with his advisors, saying….”

Behold is not included in Good News Translation because it has become archaic in English. The Hebrew word, however, carries a meaning that can be expressed naturally in many languages. Some translations have attempted to catch its meaning in this verse with the word “Look.” (For example, the Jerusalem Bible [Jerusalem Bible], TANAKH (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh [the New Jewish Version]), and the New International Version [New International Version].) It is understood simply as a command to pay attention to what will be said. In certain languages this latter meaning will be a helpful model; for example: “Pay attention to me!” or “Listen to me well!”

The Hebrew may be understood as too many and too mighty for us, or as “more numerous and powerful than we” (the New Revised Standard Version [New Revised Standard Version]). Some translations such as Good News Translation and Jerusalem Bible draw from the danger implied in verse 10 and translate “so numerous and strong that they are a threat to us.” This idea may also be expressed as “so numerous and strong that we should fear them” or “… that they are dangerous to us.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .