VersePhraseExplanation
Gen 1:26Let us makeThe word "us" here refers to God. God was saying what he intended to do. The pronoun "us" is plural. Possible reasons for the plural use are 1) the plural form suggests that God is discussing something with the angels that make up his heavenly court or 2) the plural form foreshadows the later New Testament implications that God exists in the form of the Holy Trinity. Some translate it as "Let me make" or "I will make." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the word is plural.
Gen 3:15He will bruise ... his heelThe words "he" and "his" refer to the woman's descendant. If "seed" was translated as plural, this can be translated as "they will bruise ... their heel"; in this case, consider inserting footnotes to say that the "they" and "their" are used to translate a singular pronoun.
Gen 5:1in his own likenessThis phrase means that God made mankind to be like him. This verse does not tell in what ways God made people to be like himself. God does not have a body, so it does not mean that people would look like God. See how "after our likeness" is translated in [Genesis 1:26](../01/26.md). Alternate Translation: "to truly be like us"
Gen 11:7let us go downThe word "us" is plural even though it refers to God. Some translate it as "let me go down" or "I will go down." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the pronoun is plural. See the note on "Let us make" in [Genesis 1:26](../01/26.md).
Num 18:3or they and also you will dieHere "they" refers to any member of the tribe of Levi who comes "near to anything in the sanctuary;" the word "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites who are serving in approved roles.
Deu 1:8that Yahweh sworeYahweh is speaking as if he were another person. Alternate Translation: "that I, Yahweh, swore"
Deu 1:17General Information:Moses continues speaking to the judges, so the commands are plural.
Deu 1:21Look ... your God ... before you; go up, take possession ... your fathers ... to you; do not be afraid, neither be discouragedMoses is speaking to the Israelites as if he were speaking to one man, so these forms should be singular, not plural.
Deu 1:36he has wholly followed YahwehYahweh speaks as if he were someone else. Alternate Translation: "he has completely obeyed me"
Deu 4:3Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among youMoses speaks to the people of Israel as though they were one person, so "your" and "you" are singular.
Deu 4:9Only pay attention ... guard yourself ... you do not forget ... your eyes ... your heart ... your life ... make them known to your children and your children's children ... you stood before Yahweh your GodMoses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you," "your," and "yourself," as well as the commands "pay attention," "guard," and "make known" are singular.
Deu 4:10Only pay attention ... guard yourself ... you do not forget ... your eyes ... your heart ... your life ... make them known to your children and your children's children ... you stood before Yahweh your GodMoses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you," "your," and "yourself," as well as the commands "pay attention," "guard," and "make known" are singular.
Deu 17:14I will set a king over myself ... round about meMoses has the people speaking as if they were one person. It may be more natural to translate this with plural pronouns. Alternate Translation: "We will set over ourselves ... round about us"
Deu 32:12led him ... with himMoses again speaks of the Israelites as "Jacob" ([Deuteronomy 32:9-10](./09.md)). You may need to translate as if Moses were speaking of the Israelites as many people. Alternate Translation: "led them ... with them"
Deu 32:13made him ride ... fed him ... nourished himMoses continues to speak of the Israelites as "Jacob" ([Deuteronomy 32:9-10](./09.md)). You may need to translate this as though Moses were speaking of the Israelites as many people. "made our ancestors ride ... fed them ... nourished them"
Deu 32:14He ateMoses continues to speak of the Israelites as "Jacob" ([Deuteronomy 32:9-10](./09.md)). You may need to translate as though Moses were speaking of the Israelites as many people. "Our ancestors ate"
Deu 32:27the enemyYahweh speaks of his enemies as if they are one man. Alternate Translation: "my enemy" or "my enemies"
Deu 33:3all his holy ones are in your hand ... your feet ... your wordsThe pronouns "his" and "your" refer to Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "all Yahweh's holy ones are in his hand ... his feet ... his words"
Jos 4:1General Information:Though Yahweh was speaking directly to Joshua, all occurrences of you include Israel.
Jos 24:17us and our ancestors ... weThe people speak as if they were present with their ancestors, and interchange the words "us" and "we" with "our ancestors."
1Sa 3:9your servant isEli tells Samuel to speak to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person so that Samuel would show respect to Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "I am"
1Sa 3:10your servant isSamuel speaks to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person to show respect to Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "I am"
1Sa 4:7A god has comeThe Philistines worshiped many gods, so they probably believed that one of those gods, or one whom they did not worship, had come into the camp. Another possible meaning is that they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel: "Yahweh has come." Because 4:8 speaks of "gods," some translations read, "Gods have come," that is, "It is gods who have come."
1Sa 4:8these mighty gods ... the gods who attackedBecause the word "god" (or "God") in 4:7 is singular, many translations read "this mighty god ... the god who attacked," referring to any one of many possible gods, or "this mighty God ... the God who attacked," using the proper name of the God of Israel.
1Sa 19:4Do not let the king sin against his servantJonathan speaks as if Saul is another person to show Saul that Jonathan respects Saul. Alternate Translation: "Do not sin against your servant"
1Sa 20:7your servant will have peaceDavid speaks of himself as if he were another person to show that he respects Jonathan. Alternate Translation: "I, your servant, will have peace"
1Sa 20:8with your servant ... have brought your servantDavid speak of himself in the third person as a form of humility. Alternate Translation: "with me, your servant ... have brought me, your servant" or "with me ... have brought me"
1Sa 20:29the king's tableJonathan speaks of Saul as if he is another person to show that he respects Saul. Alternate Translation: "your table"
1Sa 23:10your servant has indeed heard ... as your servant has heard ... tell your servantDavid speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "I have indeed heard ... as I have heard ... tell me"
1Sa 23:11your servant has indeed heard ... as your servant has heard ... tell your servantDavid speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "I have indeed heard ... as I have heard ... tell me"
1Sa 23:20surrender him into the king's handThe word "hand" is a metonym for power. The Ziphites speak to Saul as if he were another man to show him that they respect him. Alternate Translation: "give David to you so you can do whatever you desire with him"
1Sa 25:17our masterThe speaker speaks of David as if David were another person to show that he respects David. Alternate Translation: "you"
1Sa 25:24my master ... your servant ... words of your servantyou ... my words. Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David.
1Sa 25:25Let not my master regard ... I your servant ... the young men of my master ... my master ... my masterAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "Do not regard ... I ... your young men ... my master ... you"
1Sa 25:26Let not my master regard ... I your servant ... the young men of my master ... my master ... my masterAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "Do not regard ... I ... your young men ... my master ... you"
1Sa 25:27your servant ... my master ... my master ... the trespass of your servant ... my master ... my masterAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "I ... you ... you ... my trespass ... you ... you"
1Sa 25:28your servant ... my master ... my master ... the trespass of your servant ... my master ... my masterAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "I ... you ... you ... my trespass ... you ... you"
1Sa 25:29the life of my masterAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "your life"
1Sa 25:30my master ... my master ... my master ... your servantAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. "you ... you ... you ... me"
1Sa 25:31my master ... my master ... my master ... your servantAbigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. "you ... you ... you ... me"
1Sa 25:39has kept back his servant from evilDavid speaks as if he were another person to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "has kept me back from doing evil deeds"
1Sa 25:41See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my masterAbigail speaks as if she were another person to show that she is humble. She shows that she desires to be David's new wife by offering to wash the feet of David's servants. Alternate Translation: "See, I will serve you, the servants of my master David, by washing your feet"
1Sa 26:19you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant ... the king of IsraelDavid speaks as if he and the king were other people to show respect to Saul. Alternate Translation: "you my king, listen to my words ... you"
1Sa 26:20you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant ... the king of IsraelDavid speaks as if he and the king were other people to show respect to Saul. Alternate Translation: "you my king, listen to my words ... you"
1Sa 26:23his anointedDavid speaks as if Saul were another person to show that he respects Saul because Saul is king. Alternate Translation: "the one he has chosen to be king"
1Sa 27:5your servantDavid speaks as if he were another person to show that he respected Achish.
1Sa 27:8as you go to ShurHere "you" is being used as an indefinite pronoun that refers to anyone. Alternate Translation: "on the way most people travel to Shur"
1Sa 27:9Achishthe king of Gath
1Sa 27:12Achishthe king of Gath
1Sa 28:2your servantDavid speaks as if he is another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate Translation: "I"
1Sa 28:2make youThe word "you" refers to David and so is singular.
1Sa 28:22the voice of your woman servantThe woman speaks as if she is another person to show that she respects Saul. She refers to herself by her "voice" to emphasize what she says. Alternate Translation: "my voice" or "me speak to you"
1Sa 29:8my master the kingDavid speaks as if Achish were another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate Translation: "you, my master and king"
1Ki 1:13to your servantBathsheba speaks to David as if she were someone else to show that she respects David. Alternate Translation: "to me, your servant"
1Ki 1:21when my master the king sleeps with his fathersBathsheba speaks to King David as if she were speaking about him to show that she respects him. Alternate Translation: "when you sleep with your fathers"
1Ki 1:33the servants of your masterDavid speaks of himself as if he were speaking of someone else so Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah would remember that David is still king. Alternate Translation: "my servants"
1Ki 1:36May Yahweh, the God of my master the king, confirmBenaiah speaks to King David as if he were speaking to someone else to show that he respects King David. Alternate Translation: "My master and king, may Yahweh your God confirm"
1Ki 1:37has been with my master the king, soBenaiah speaks to King David as if he were speaking to someone else to show that he respects King David. Alternate Translation: "has been with you, my master the king, so"
1Ki 1:37the throne of my master King DavidBenaiah speaks to King David as if he were speaking to someone else to show that he respects King David. Alternate Translation: "your throne, my master King David"
1Ki 1:51is afraid of King SolomonThe servants speak to King Solomon as if they were speaking of someone else to show that they respected King Solomon. Alternate Translation: "is afraid of you, King Solomon"
1Ki 1:51he will not kill his servantAdonijah speaks of himself as if he were speaking of another person so people will think that he respects King Solomon. Alternate Translation: "he will not kill me"
1Ki 3:6have given him a sonThe "son" is Solomon.
1Ki 3:7your servantSolomon speaks as if he is another person to show respect to Yahweh. Alternate Translation: "me"
1Ki 3:20your servantThe woman speaks as if she were speaking of someone else to show that she respects Solomon. Alternate Translation: "I"
Ezr 10:1As Ezra prayed and confessed ... threw himself downEzra speaks of himself as if he were someone else.
Neh 10:1NehemiahSome people believe that Nehemiah wrote this book and is speaking of himself as if he were someone else because this is an official list.
Job 40:2He who argues with God, let him answerYahweh speaks of Job and himself as if they were two other people to remind Job that no person anywhere should argue with God. Alternate Translation: "You want to argue with me, so answer me"
Job 40:19the creatures of God. Only GodYahweh speaks as if he were another person. Alternate Translation: "of my creatures. Only I, God"
Psa 75:4Do not be arrogant ... Do not lift ... Do not lift up your ... do not speakThe speaker is speaking to many wicked people, so these forms are all plural.
Psa 75:5Do not be arrogant ... Do not lift ... Do not lift up your ... do not speakThe speaker is speaking to many wicked people, so these forms are all plural.
Psa 119:140your servant lovesThe writer speaks of himself as if he were another person. Alternate Translation: "I, your servant, love" or "I love"
Psa 132:13General Information:He, "my" and "I" refer to Yahweh and "her" refers to Zion.
Psa 149:1General Information:The psalmist is speaking to all of God's people, so you should use the plural command form if your language has one.
Sng 1:4We are glad ... We rejoice ... let us celebrateThe woman speaks of herself as if she were more than one person. Many versions change the pronoun to "I" as the UDB does. Other versions present these as the words of the woman's friends speaking about either the woman or the man.
Sng 1:11We will makeThe man speaks as if he were many people. Some versions change this to singular "I." Other versions take these to be the words of the woman's friends.
Sng 6:13Turn back ... gaze on youPossible interpretations are 1) the friends are speaking to the woman or 2) the man is referring to himself in plural.
Sng 6:13we may gazeSome versions understand the plural to refer to the man speaking of himself. Alternate Translation: "I may gaze"
Sng 6:13Why do you gaze on the perfect woman ... armiesPossible interpretations are 1) the woman refers to herself as another person and is speaking to the friends or 2) the woman is speaking to the man as if he were many men.
Isa 2:6For you have abandoned your peopleFor you have left your people and do not care what happens to them. Here the word "you" refers to Yahweh and so is singular.
Isa 8:7therefore the Lord isYahweh speaks of himself as if he were someone else to remind the people of who he is. Alternate Translation: "therefore I, the Lord, am"
Jer 31:10Hear ... ReportYahweh is speaking to the nations, so these verbs are plural.
Jer 31:10The one who scattered Israel is gathering her up and keeping herYahweh speaks of himself as if he were someone else, and he speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a helpless woman. Alternate Translation: "I caused my people Israel to be scattered among the nations, but now I am bringing them home and keeping them"
Jer 31:21Place road signs for yourself ... Set up guideposts for yourself ... Set your mind ... you should take ... Come backThese commands and instances of "yourself" and "your" and "you" are addressed to "virgin Israel" and so are singular.
Jer 50:11You rejoice ... you jump ... you neigh ... bore youEach instance of "You" or "you" is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.
Jer 50:12You rejoice ... you jump ... you neigh ... bore youEach instance of "You" or "you" is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.
Ezk 1:3to Ezekiel ... upon him thereEzekiel speaks of himself as if he were another person. Alternate Translation: "to me, Ezekiel ... upon me there"
Ezk 43:22you will offer ... you finish ... offer ... offerAll instances of "you" and the commands refer to Ezekiel and so are singular. See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 43:19](./19.md).
Ezk 43:23you will offer ... you finish ... offer ... offerAll instances of "you" and the commands refer to Ezekiel and so are singular. See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 43:19](./19.md).
Ezk 43:25You must prepareThis is spoken to Ezekiel and so the word "You" is singular. See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 43:19](./19.md).
Ezk 43:27your burnt offerings ... your peace offerings ... accept youThe words "your" and "you" are second person plural and refer to the people of Israel in general.
Ezk 44:28youThe word "you" refers to the people of Israel and so is plural.
Dan 2:36Now we will tell the kingHere "we" refers only to Daniel. He may have used to plural form in humility to avoid taking credit for knowing the meaning of the dream that God had revealed to him.
Dan 4:15Let his mind be changed ... seven years pass bySince the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar, the masculine pronouns "his" and "him" in verse 16 refer to the same tree as the neuter pronoun "it" in verse 15. Alternate Translation: "The man's mind will change from a man's mind to an animal's mind for a period of seven years"
Dan 4:16Let his mind be changed ... seven years pass bySince the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar, the masculine pronouns "his" and "him" in verse 16 refer to the same tree as the neuter pronoun "it" in verse 15. Alternate Translation: "The man's mind will change from a man's mind to an animal's mind for a period of seven years"