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 (Luke 22:50)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 22:50:

  • Noongar: “And one of them struck a man, the Chief Priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “From there, one of the disciples cut a slave of the High Priest, slicing-off his right ear.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And one of them slashed a servant of the leading priest and severed his right ear.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And one of those disicples of Jesus slashed with a sword at the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Simultaneously one of his disciples suddenly-struck-at the slave of the highest priest and his right ear was sliced off.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When one of the disciples unsheathed his bolo, he slashed. A slave of the Most-important Priest is whom he slashed. The right ear which got hit was cut-off.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 22:50

Exegesis:

kai epataxen heis tis ex autōn ‘and (indeed) one of them struck…,’ without waiting for Jesus’ answer to the question of v. 49. heis tis is equivalent to heis alone.

tou archiereōs ton doulon ‘the slave of the high priest.’ tou archiereōs is emphatic by virtue of its position before ton doulon.

kai apheilen to ous autou to dexion ‘and cut off his right ear.’ aphaireō lit. ‘to take away’ is used here in a more specific meaning, i.e. ‘to cut off,’ ‘to shear off.’

Translation:

For slave see on 7.2, for high priest see references on 3.2.

His right ear. In several languages one has to say, ‘his ear at the right side.’

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.