OET interlinear MAT 2:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-quotations

λέγοντες

saying

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “and they were saying”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁ τεχθεὶς Βασιλεὺς

the_‹one› /having_been/_born King

Here the learned men could mean that: (1) the one having been born is destined to be King of the Jews. Alternate translation: “the one having been born to be King” (2) the one having been born is already the King of the Jews. Alternate translation: “the one having been born who is King”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ὁ τεχθεὶς

the_‹one› /having_been/_born

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one whose birth recently happened, the one who is”

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

for

Here, the word For introduces a reason why the learned men are asking about the King of the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for a question, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: “We ask because” or “Indeed,”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα

˱of˲_him the star

Here, the learned men are using the possessive form to describe a star that marks or identifies the King of the Jews. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the star that identifies him” or “the star that proves he has been born”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ

in the east

Here, the phrase in the east could refer to: (1) when the star appeared above the horizon. Alternate translation: “when it rose” (2) where the star appeared in the sky. Alternate translation: “as it rose in the east”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἤλθομεν

˱we˲_came

In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of came. Alternate translation: “went”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

προσκυνῆσαι

/to/_prostrate

The phrase to worship can be used for how one behaves before God, but it can also be used for how one behaves before a king. Matthew uses this phrase because the learned men considered Jesus to be a king, but Matthew considers Jesus to be God. So, both meanings of the phrase to worship are included here. If possible, use a form that could be used for how one acts before both kings and God. If you must make a distinction, it is recommended that you use a form that refers to worshiping God. Alternate translation: “to bow before” or “to kneel before him to honor”