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.

complete verse (Acts 23:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 23:2:

  • Uma: “When Paulus spoke like that, the Big Priest Ananias commanded a person next to Paulus to slap him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then when Ananiyas, the leading priest heard what Paul said, immediately he commanded the men beside Paul to slap Paul on his mouth.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then the High Priest told the men that were nearby Paul that they should slap his mouth in order to punish him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Upon his saying that, the highest priest told those near Pablo to slap his mouth.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When the Most-important Priest who was Ananias heard, he ordered those standing beside him to slap Pablo on the mouth.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 23:2

Ananias was High Priest from A.D. 47 to 66, when he was assassinated by the Jews because of his support of the Romans during the Jewish uprising. The reason that he ordered Paul to be slapped is not clear. It may be because he thought Paul was presumptuous by addressing the group as my brothers, or it may be that he felt it improper for a prisoner to maintain his innocence. It is interesting to recall that Jesus was also struck during his trial (John 18. 22-23).

The verb ordered may require direct discourse in some languages—for example, “the High Priest Ananias ordered those who were standing close to Paul, Strike him on the mouth.” In a number of languages one must distinguish carefully between striking with the hand closed or with an open hand, that is, “hit” versus “slap.” The Greek text itself makes no distinction and one can choose whichever form of striking would seem to be more appropriate within a parallel receptor context.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .