OET interlinear LUKE 2:14

2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests: This verse has two clauses that have parallel words or phrases. In some languages it may be good to translate this verse as poetry.In the Greek text, this verse has two clauses that have parallel words or phrases. These phrases, translated more literally, are:Glory in the heavens to Godpeace on the earth to favored menThe chart above shows that Glory and peace are parallel. God and “favored men” are parallel. Glory… “in the heavens” is parallel to peace… “on the earth.”

In Greek, there is no verb in this verse. You should use a verb form that is natural for praise in your language. This poem of praise expresses the results of Jesus’ birth. Some ways to translate it are:

Glory comes to God in the heavens, and peace comes to favored men on the earth.

God receives glory in the heavens, and favored men receive peace on the earth.

This is not a command. The angels are not commanding the shepherds to give glory to God.

2:14a

Glory to God in the highest: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as in the highest refers to heaven. There are two views about how it is related to the phrase Glory to God:

1. It refers to the place where God receives glory. For example:

   God receives glory in heaven.

2. It refers to the place where God is. For example:

   Glory to God who is in heaven.

Most English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentators seem to follow this view that in the highest refers to the place where God receives glory.

Glory to God: In this context the word Glory refers to praise and honor. As the note on 2:14 said, in some languages it will be necessary to supply a verb for the phrase Glory to God. Some ways to do this are:

Praises belong to God

God deserves honor/glory

Notice that the meaning of Glory here is different from the meaning of “glory” in 2:9b. See also glory, sense A3, in KBT.

in the highest: The phrase in the highest refers to heaven. It is the place where God lives with the angels.Most commentators seem to follow the view that “in the highest” refers to the place where God receives glory. Other views are that “in the highest” refers to the place where God is. The Bible mentions three heavens. The first heaven is the sky, where the birds fly. The second heaven is outer space, where the sun, moon, and stars are located. The third heaven is beyond that. It is the home of God and the good angels. Another way to translate this is:

in heaven (CEV)

Some languages have an idiom that refers to heaven as being “on top” or “on top of everything.” If this is true in your language, you may be able to use it here.

2:14b

on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests: There is a textual issue here: (1) The earliest Greek manuscripts say “and on earth peace among men of goodwill.” Nearly every major English version follows these manuscripts. For example, the GNT says “and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” This text is followed by BSB, RSV, NIV, GNT, NASB, NLT96, NLT, GW, CEV, NET, JBP, REB, NCV, and NJB. (2) Other Greek manuscripts say “and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The KJV follows these manuscripts. It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has early and strong manuscript support. Also, nearly every major English version follows this option. This recommendation is based on Swanson, p. 33; Greek NT UBS 4th ed.; Metzger, p. 111; and Exegetical Summaries on TW. The phrase on earth tells where the men will receive peace. It is parallel to “in the highest,” where God will receive praise. The phrase peace to men on whom His favor rests refers here to harmony between God and the people whom God favors. They are not in conflict.

Some ways to translate this part of the verse are:

he has peaceful relations on earth with people whom he favors

he and the people whom he favors on earth are in harmony/peace

peace: In Jewish cultures the word peace has a very broad meaning. It describes a situation of well-being that can include safety, wholeness, health, and prosperity. It often describes harmony and friendship between God and people or between individuals or groups of people. This harmony is in contrast to war, hostility, or conflict.

Some other ways to translate peace here are:

harmony

freedom

In English the word peace is a noun. In some languages it may be more natural to translate peace with a verb or in another way. For example:

be whole/free/peaceful

live peacefully/well

In many languages there may be an idiom to express this. See peace, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

to men on whom His favor rests: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as men on whom His favor rests is literally “people of goodwill/favor.” The goodwill refers to God’s goodwill or favor toward people. So the phrase to men on whom His favor rests means “to people whom God favors/blesses.” Other ways to say this are:

in people whom God favors/blesses

for people with whom God is pleased