inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Deut 2:28)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding King Sihon.

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 2:28

This verse is almost exactly like 2.6; here the two verbs are sell and give, both meaning the same, since the Israelites offer to pay for what they receive.

Only let me pass through on foot: this emphasizes the peaceful nature of the Israelites’ passage through the land. The phrase on foot is not in contrast with other ways of passing through (on horses, or in chariots); rather, it means they will pass through peacefully, without bothering the people. So Bible en français courant has “Allow us simply to pass through your country,” and Good News Translation “All we want to do is pass through your country.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .