OET interlinear ZEC 3:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠יַּ֣עַן וַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר

and,he_answered and=he/it_said

The pronoun he refers to the angel of Yahweh. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the angel of Yahweh answered and said]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗י⁠ו

and=he/it_said to=him/it

The pronoun he refers to the angel of Yahweh, and him refers to Joshua. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the angel of Yahweh said to Joshua]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

הָ⁠עֹמְדִ֤ים לְ⁠פָנָי⁠ו֙

[those,who_were]_standing before,,him

Here, to the face of represents “in the presence of.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [those who stood before him]

Note 4 topic: writing-quotations

לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר

to=say

The term saying introduces a direct quotation. In your translation, use a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. It may not be necessary to represent this term explicitly.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הָסִ֛ירוּ הַ⁠בְּגָדִ֥ים הַ⁠צֹּאִ֖ים מֵ⁠עָלָ֑י⁠ו

take_off the,garments (the),filthy from,on,him

The angel of Yahweh is speaking as if Joshua’s sin were filthy garments that could be removed. He means that God is taking away Joshua’s sin. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Take away Joshua’s sin from him]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

רְאֵ֨ה

see

The angel of Yahweh is using the term See as an expression to focus Joshua’s attention on what he is about to say. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Pay attention!]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עֲוֺנֶ֔⁠ךָ

iniquity_of,your

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of iniquity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the wrong things you have done]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠הַלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹתְ⁠ךָ֖ מַחֲלָצֽוֹת

and,I_will_clothe ,you rich_garments

The angel of Yahweh is speaking as if Joshua’s restored condition were fine clothing that he could put on. He means that God is restoring Joshua to a state of purity and honor. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and I will restore you to a state of purity and honor]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי מֵ⁠עָלֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ עֲוֺנֶ֔⁠ךָ

taken_~_away from,on,you iniquity_of,your

The angel of Yahweh is speaking as if Joshua’s iniquity were a physical object that could be caused to pass away from him. He means that God has forgiven Joshua’s sin. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I have forgiven your sin] Alternate translation: [I have forgiven your sin]