high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated as “the ruler of the priests of our nation” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “very great priest” in Chol (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.), as “first over the priests” in Ayutla Mixtec, and “chief of the priests” in Desano (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).

In Uma it is translated as “Big Priest,” in Western Bukidnon Manobo as “high sacrificer,” and in Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God.” (See here.)

See also priest and chief priest.

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 16:12

For he was son-in-law of the high priest: Ptolemy’s wealth apparently derived from his father-in-law, Simon the High Priest (see 1Macc 15.32). Good News Bible already identified Simon as “the High Priest” in verse 11 and omits it here, but there may be something to gain from associating the idea of wealth not with Simon himself but with the office of high priest. A model for verses 11-12 that does this is:

• 11~Meanwhile, Simon had appointed his son-in-law Ptolemy son of Abubus commander of the area around Jericho. Ptolemy was very rich, 12~since his father-in-law was the High Priest.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.