Japanese benefactives (yurushite)

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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, yurushite (赦して) or “forgive” 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. )

Translation commentary on Genesis 50:17

Say to Joseph: Revised Standard Version includes these words in the message given by Jacob. Note that Good News Translation says “he told us to ask you, ‘Please….’ ” Translators must decide what form is most natural for the language of translation.

Forgive … the transgression … and their sin: Forgive, which is used here for the first time in Genesis, translates a verb meaning “to lift up.” The idea is that Joseph is asked to “lift,” “remove,” “take away” the wrong that his brothers did to him. Forgive is sometimes expressed as “wipe away the evil,” “throw the sin from us,” or “take the burden [guilt] from us.” In a number of languages the idea of letting go or releasing is used: “Please let go that big wrong and the sin your brothers…,” or “Let your brothers go free from that bad thing they did.”

Transgression, which renders a word meaning rebellion or disobedience, is often expressed as “crime,” “wrong,” or “evil.” Sin is here more general. Note Good News Translation “crime … when they wronged you.”

Because they did evil to you: Revised Standard Version because renders a Hebrew particle that means “surely” and makes the statement emphatic, “for they certainly wronged you.” This is the end of the command that Jacob left.

We pray you, forgive … father: in this sentence the brothers appeal to Joseph on their common religious grounds. Servants … father may require some restructuring, since the brothers are referring to themselves. For example, it may be necessary to say “Forgive us the wrong we did, we who are the servants of the God your father worshiped” or “Forgive us … We serve the same God your father served.”

Joseph wept when they spoke to him: that is, “Joseph cried when he heard their message” or “Joseph cried when he heard what they had said.” See Good News Translation. The Hebrew verb for “spoke” does not require that the brothers delivered their words in person but that the words in some way were addressed to Joseph.

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 .