OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 1:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ζωὴ

life

Here it is best to use a general term for life. (See: life) If you must use a more specific word, consider that life here could refer to: (1) eternal life, which is the meaning John uses for this term throughout this Gospel. Alternate translation: “the means of receiving eternal life” (2) physical life, which would mean that this verse continues the discussion about the creation of the universe in the previous verses. Alternate translation: “the life of all living things” (3) both physical life and eternal life. Alternate translation: “the life of all living things and the source of eternal life”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

καὶ ἡ ζωὴ

and the life

Here, the life refers to the same life stated in the previous phrase. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “and that life”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ φῶς τῶν ἀνθρώπων

the light ¬the ˱of˲_mankind

Here John uses light to refer to God’s truth and goodness. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the true and good things God has for men”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸ φῶς τῶν ἀνθρώπων

the light ¬the ˱of˲_mankind

John uses of to indicate to whom the light is given. If this is not clear in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “the light given to men”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

τῶν ἀνθρώπων

¬the ˱of˲_mankind

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “of people”