OET interlinear LUKE 2:13

2:13a

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host: This clause indicates that immediately after the angel said the words in 2:12, many other angels from heaven were there with him. They suddenly joined the angel there. Other ways to say this are:

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven (NLT)

All at once there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host (REB)

a great multitude of the heavenly host: The Greek word that the BSB translates as a great multitude means “a very large group.” It describes the phrase heavenly host, which is used as an idiom in this context. It literally means “the army of heaven.” For example:

a great army of heaven’s angels (GNT)

However, in this context the word “army” simply indicates that there were many angels, as in an army. Luke was not using the phrase in a military sense. Here is another way to translate a great multitude of the heavenly host:

a very large group of angels from heaven (NCV)

2:13b

praising God and saying: When the angels appeared, they were praising God for Jesus’ birth. The verb saying introduces what the angels said to praise God. Some ways to show this are:

praising God by saying (GW)

praising God. They said (CEV)

praising God: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as praising God means “to express approval of God, to speak well of God.” In some languages there may be an idiom to express this. It would be good to use an expression that fits with what the angels said in 2:14.

God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as God refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. In many languages there will already be an established term for God. If that is not true in your language, here are some ways to translate God:

• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.

• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:

  Creator

  Great Spirit

  Ruler of the universe

• Use a borrowed word from the national or trade language Bible.

Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and churches in your area. For more detailed information, see God in the Glossary.

saying: The Greek verb that the BSB translates literally as saying introduces the words that the angels used to praise God. These words are arranged in the form of a poem, and some English versions translate the verb as “sang” (GNT, REB). The Greek verb itself does not indicate that the angels sang the words. However, it also does not indicate that they did not sing them. There are two ways to translate the verb here:

• Use a general word such as “say.”

• Use a more specific word in your language that describes what the angels said.