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 4:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:6:

  • Uma: “They gathered with the Big Priest Hanas and with Kayafas, Yohanes, Aleksander and with the other relatives of the Big Priest.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Also there were Annas the leader priest, Kayapas and Yahiya, and Iskandal, and there were yet other relatives of the leading priest.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Also there were Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and others of the relatives of Annas.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And they met-with Annas the highest priest and Caifas, Juan, Alexander and their companions who were Annas’ relatives.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Included among them were Anas who was the Most-important Priest, Caifas, Juan, Alejandro and other relatives of Anas.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 4:6

Annas actually functioned as High Priest from A.D. 6-14, though he can be called the High Priest since it was customary for a man who had once held that position to maintain that title throughout life. Actually at this time Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas, was the High Priest, and held this office from A.D. 18-36. Nothing is known of John and Alexander, but it is possible that John was one of the sons of Annas who later became High Priest. Some manuscripts read “Jonathan” in place of John, and this text is followed by the New English Bible and the Jerusalem Bible. The manuscript evidence is in favor of the reading John, and since the Jewish historian Josephus states that Jonathan, son of Annas, was appointed high priest in A.D. 36 in succession to Caiaphas, it appears likely that the reading “Jonathan” is an attempt by some scribe to make Luke conform.

One may render this passage as “they met with Annas, the High Priest” or “with Annas who was the High Priest,” and show the relationship of the other persons to this event by repeating the verb “they also met with Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and others who belonged to the clan of the High Priest.”

In very few languages can one use an attributive such as “high” to indicate superior rank. One must more often be spoken of as “the big priests” or “the great priest.” In other instances he is “the boss of the priests” or “the one who controls the priests.” In still other languages one can simply employ “the chief of the priests.”

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 .