Most High

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

creation

The Greek, and Latin that is translated as “creation” in English is translated in Lisu as ꓟꓵ ꓚꓰꓼ ꓟꓲ ꓚꓰꓼ — my tshe mi tshe, verbatim translated as “place — make — earth — make.” This construction follows a traditional four-couplet construct in oral Lisu poetry that is usually in the form ABAC or ABCB. (Source: Arrington 2020, p. 58)

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies creating out of nothing. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Creation” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Translation commentary on 3 Maccabees 6:2

Contemporary English Version indents all of Eleazar’s prayer (verses 2-15), in the same way it indented Philopator’s long letter in 3 Macc 3.12-29. Translators may certainly do this if they wish. However, the prayer composes almost this whole section, except for verse 1, and this may set it off clearly enough. Indentation certainly does no harm, and may help.

King of great power, Almighty God Most High, governing all creation with mercy: This is Eleazar’s address to God, and like most of the references to God in 3 Maccabees, is elaborate. It may be helpful to move Almighty God Most High to the beginning of the prayer (so Contemporary English Version), to keep readers or hearers from thinking that Eleazar is addressing Philopator. A model of this verse that does this is “Almighty God Most High, King of great power, merciful Governor [or, Ruler] of all creation.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.