inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Num 22:14)

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 exclusive pronoun, excluding Balak.

complete verse (Numbers 22:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 22:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then those leaders of Moab returned to go to where Balak was and told him that Balaam had refused to come with them.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Since it was like that the emissaries of the king of the Moabites went back to Balak and said, "Balaam did not agree to come with us."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So the leaders/[lit. heads] of Moab returned to Balak and said, ‘Balaam would- not -go with us (excl.).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So the men from Moab returned to King Balak and they reported to him, ‘Balaam refused to come with us.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 22:14

So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak: The return of Balak’s officials marks the end of the first episode. Some languages may have a special way of marking such a discourse closure. For the use of the verb rose in this context, see the comments on 16.25. As there, Good News Bible omits it.

And said, “Balaam refuses to come with us”: The messengers seemingly blame Balaam instead of the LORD for the failure of their mission. Good News Bible uses indirect discourse here, but in many languages direct speech is quite natural in narrative discourse.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Numbers 22:14

So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak: The return of Balak’s officials marks the end of the first episode. Some languages may have a special way of marking such a discourse closure. For the use of the verb rose in this context, see the comments on 16.25. As there, Good News Bible omits it.

And said, “Balaam refuses to come with us”: The messengers seemingly blame Balaam instead of the LORD for the failure of their mission. Good News Bible uses indirect discourse here, but in many languages direct speech is quite natural in narrative discourse.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .