The term that is transliterated as “Nebuchadnezzar” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the signs for “king” and one signifying a wavy beard, referring to the common way of wearing a beard in Mesopotamia (see here ). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Nebuchadnezzar” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting “idol in my image,” referring to Daniel 3:1. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
Behold is used to attract the attention of the hearer or reader. It is not normally used in modern English, so Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version omit it. However, if a particular language has a word with a similar function, it may be used here.
We, the servants of Nebuchadnezzar, the Great King: The messengers begin by presenting themselves to Holofernes as subjects of his king. They are speaking to Holofernes, not Nebuchadnezzar; see the note on 3.1. The messengers open the speech by identifying themselves as submissive servants. “Slaves” would not be overstating the case, but the word needs to be reserved for verse 4, where “slaves” is clearly meant. Contemporary English Version has “We are servants of the great King Nebuchadnezzar.” Good News Translation has “We remain loyal to you,” but this misconstrues the situation. They have not been loyal; that is why they are being punished.
Lie prostrate before you: This may or may not indicate their actual physical posture while addressing the general. It may be only a figure of speech, so Good News Translation translates the meaning of the figure with “we are ready to serve you.” However, the Good News Translation expression does not convey well the total submission with which the envoys approach their conqueror. Contemporary English Version is better with “We surrender to you….”
There is a threefold offer of submission. At the end of 3.2 the messengers surrender their own persons. At the end of 3.3 they surrender their land, crops, and livestock. At the end of 3.4 they surrender their cities and people. The actual language differs slightly in each case: Do with us … do with them … deal with them.
Do with us whatever you will: This is much more than an expression of readiness to “obey any command” (Good News Translation). It is utter surrender: Kill us if you like; we are yours; we offer no resistance. An alternative translation is “we are completely in your power.”
An alternative translation model for this verse may be:
• We are slaves of the great king Nebuchadnezzar. We surrender to you General Holofernes, and are completely in your power.
Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.
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