Honorary "are" construct denoting God (“say”)

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:9

Jacob realizes that his plan of escape is probably not enough. Therefore he turns to God in prayer.

Verses 9-12 are Jacob’s prayer for deliverance from Esau. Jacob begins by addressing God in his characteristic way, “God of my father.” He then goes on to remind the LORD that he is the one who told Jacob to return to Canaan. Jacob then recalls how he has grown in wealth from nothing to two camps—a reminder that God has obviously chosen to bless and protect him in Mesopotamia. He asks God to save him and his people from Esau, and finally he reminds God once more of the promise made to Abraham and his descendants.

And Jacob said: said may be better rendered as “prayed,” since what follows is a prayer.

O God of my father Abraham and … Isaac: that is, “God whom my father and grandfather worshiped.”

O LORD who didst say to me: this must often be handled as “You told me, LORD….” See Good News Translation.

Return to your country … kindred: see 12.1.

I will do you good: that is, “I will deal well with you,” “I will cause everything to go well.” See the same expression in Num 10.29, 32. The words used by the LORD in the dream in 31.3 were “I will be with you.”

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 .