OET interlinear ZEC 7:9

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-background

The word from Yahweh in verses 9-14 are providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / quotesinquotes

כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר מִשְׁפַּ֤ט אֱמֶת֙ שְׁפֹ֔טוּ

thus he/it_had_said YHWH armies/messengers to=say justice_of true judge

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [Yahweh of Armies commands you to judge with true justice]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר

to=say

The phrase 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 phrase explicitly.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אֱמֶת֙ שְׁפֹ֔טוּ

true judge

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of justice, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [rightly]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

וְ⁠חֶ֣סֶד וְ⁠רַֽחֲמִ֔ים

and,loyalty and,compassion(s)

The terms covenant faithfulness and mercy mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [and steadfast love]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ⁠חֶ֣סֶד

and,loyalty

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of covenant faithfulness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [be faithful to what you agreed]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ⁠רַֽחֲמִ֔ים

and,compassion(s)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of mercy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and be merciful]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

עֲשׂ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת אָחִֽי⁠ו

show (a)_man DOM his/its=brother

Here the masculine terms man and his brother have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: [Let each person do this for one another]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אֶת אָחִֽי⁠ו

DOM his/its=brother

Here Yahweh is speaking as if each fellow Israelite were his brother. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for his fellow Israelite]