OET interlinear YAC (JAM) 1:17

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ, καὶ πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον, ἄνωθέν ἐστιν

every giving good and every gift perfect from_above is

Here, from above is a spatial metaphor that describes God. Alternate translation: “God gives us every good present and every perfect gift”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ, καὶ πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον, ἄνωθέν ἐστιν

every giving good and every gift perfect from_above is

The phrases good present and perfect gift mean similar things. James is using them together for emphasis. (As in 1:4, the word perfect refers to something that has developed to the point where it is fully suited to its purpose.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this connection by translating both phrases with a single expression. Alternate translation: “God gives us the things that are just right for us”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

καταβαῖνον ἀπὸ

coming_down from

Continuing the spatial metaphor, James speaks of these gifts coming down from God. If you translate this plainly, it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They come to us from”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοῦ Πατρὸς τῶν φώτων

the Father ¬the ˱of˲_lights

Here, lights likely means the lights in the sky, that is, the sun, moon, and stars. James says that God is their Father because he created them. Alternate translation: “God, who created all the lights in the sky”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

παρ’ ᾧ οὐκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ ἢ τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα

with whom not there_is variation or ˱of˲_shifting shadow

Here, change and shadow of turning mean similar things. James is using repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them into a single phrase and express the metaphor of a shadow (See: later note) as a simile. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God does not change as shifting shadows do”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα

˱of˲_shifting shadow

James is using the possessive form to describe a shadow that is characterized by turning. Alternate translation: “shadow that turns” or “shadow that changes position”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα

˱of˲_shifting shadow

James is contrasting God, the Creator of the lights in the sky, with those lights themselves, which are not as great as their Creator. They create shadows that change position, but God never deviates from wanting only good things for people. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “turning shadow such as the sun or moon casts. No, God always wants good things for people”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα

˱of˲_shifting shadow

There could not literally be a shadow in God, so this is a metaphor. Alternate translation: “variability”