complete verse (Genesis 23:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 23:8:

  • Newari: “‘If it is true that I will be allowed to bury my wife here, [tell] Zohar son of Ephron [the verb ‘tell’ is in v. 9]” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then he said, ‘If you (pl.) indeed agree that I will-bury my wife here, you (pl.) should help me to speak to Efron the child of Zohar” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said to them, ‘If you say that you are willing for me to bury my wife’s body here, listen to me, and ask Ephron, the son of Zohar for me,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Japanese benefactives (okikiire)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, okikiire (お聞き入れ) or “hear” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Japanese benefactives (tanonde)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, tanonde (頼んで) or “plead” is used in combination with itadaku (いただく), a humble form of the benefactive morau (もらう). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Genesis 23:8

In verse 8 Abraham moves the negotiation forward.

If you are willing … hear me: up to this point the Hittites have been quite willing to allow Abraham to bury Sarah, but they have not replied to his request to “sell” property for this purpose. Their counterproposal was a courteous offer to allow him to use their own burial grounds. The Hittites are really inviting Abraham to make a further proposal, which he does now. Hear me marks the introduction of this new proposal.

As pointed out above, a literal translation of hear me may fail to reveal Abraham’s intention. In some languages something will be required equivalent to “please consider,” “think about this,” “please let me ask you,” or “this is my request.” In some languages this is said more figuratively as “I now have two words for your ears” or “let your ears hear a new word from me.”

Out of my sight is repeated from Gen 23.4. See discussion there.

And entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar: entreat translates a verb meaning “request,” “plead,” “prevail on.” The Hittites are asked to do this on behalf of Abraham. He is asking the Hittites to persuade their own countryman and probably kinsman to sell the cave. Abraham has informed himself not only about the particular cave he wants but also who the owner is and whose son he is. Some translations express entreat … Ephron as “please talk to Ephron … and ask him if he is willing to sell.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .