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 2 Maccabees 3:21

This verse summarizes the scene in verses 15-20.

There was something pitiable in the prostration of the whole populace: Revised Standard Version is missing the idea of “confused” (Good News Bible) here, which is certainly in the Greek, although the exact meaning of the word for “confused” is not clear. New English Bible has “in utter confusion,” which we recommend. For prostration see verse 15. The whole populace is an exaggeration; we know from verses 19-20 that the young girls, at least, were not lying face down on the ground.

And the anxiety of the high priest in his great anguish: See verse 16.

Good News Bible‘s reordering of this verse (the High Priest, then the people) loses nothing in meaning, but since the writer chose to end here with a reference to the High Priest after referring to him near the beginning of the section, we suggest that translators should try to follow the order of the Greek. We may say:

• It was a pitiful scene; everywhere people were lying face down on the ground in great confusion, and the High Priest was in such great agony and frustration [or, worry/anxiety].

• It was a pitiful scene; people everywhere were lying face down on the ground in great confusion, and the High Priest had great agony and frustration in his heart.

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.