OET interlinear ZEC 12:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

מַשָּׂ֥א דְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

burden word_of YHWH on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in Yisrael

Zechariah is using the words translated as The burden of the word of Yahweh concerning Israel to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מַשָּׂ֥א דְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה

burden word_of YHWH

Here Zechariah is speaking of the message from Yahweh as if it were a burden, that is, a heavy load that a person must carry. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [The severe word of Yahweh]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

נְאֻם־יְהוָ֗ה

declares_of YHWH

Zechariah is using the declaration of Yahweh to indicate that what has been said is a direct quotation from Yahweh and comes with Yahweh’s authority. In your translation, use a natural way of indicating direct quotations in your language.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

נֹטֶ֤ה שָׁמַ֨יִם֙ וְ⁠יֹסֵ֣ד אָ֔רֶץ וְ⁠יֹצֵ֥ר רֽוּחַ־אָדָ֖ם בְּ⁠קִרְבּֽ⁠וֹ

stretches_out heavens and_[who],founded earth and_[who],formed spirit_of humankind in,his_inner_of,being

Zechariah is not distinguishing this Yahweh from another Yahweh who is not the one stretching out the heavens and founding the earth and forming the spirit of man within him. Zechariah is reminding his readers that this Yahweh is the creator of all things and so is able to do what he says. Be sure that this is clear in your translation. Alternate translation: [who indeed is the one who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

נֹטֶ֤ה שָׁמַ֨יִם֙ וְ⁠יֹסֵ֣ד אָ֔רֶץ

stretches_out heavens and_[who],founded earth

Here Zechariah is speaking of how Yahweh made the world as if he were stretching out a tent to form the heavens and founding a building to form the earth. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the one who made the heavens and who made the earth]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

רֽוּחַ אָדָ֖ם

spirit_of humankind

This phrase continues the references to creation. The spirit of man represents “life.” The word translated man could also be transliterated as “Adam.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the life of a person] or [Adam’s life]