Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla,
ginnheilug goð, ok um þat gættusk;
nátt ok niðjum nöfn um gáfu,
morgin hétu ok miðjan dag,
undorn ok aptan, árum at telja.
Þá gengu regin öll á rökstóla,
Þá: Then
gengu: went
regin: gods (a term used for the powers or gods, indicating a collective of divine beings)
öll: all
á: to
rökstóla: judgement seats (from « rök, » meaning reason or origin, and « stóla, » meaning seats)
So, the phrase can be translated as
« Then all the gods went to the judgement seats. »
This line signifies a moment of council (Thing) or decision-making among the gods, where they gather to deliberate on matters concerning the cosmos, fate, or the affairs of gods and humans.
The « judgement seats » are symbolic of authority and deliberation, a place where important decisions are made.
ginnheilug goð, ok um þat gættusk;
ginnheilug: a compound adjective often used to describe something as very holy, sacred, or mysterious. « Ginn- » is a prefix that intensifies the meaning of the word it is attached to, and « heilug » means « holy » or « sacred. »
goð: gods
ok: and
um: about
þat: that
gættusk: (from « gæta » meaning to watch, to guard, or to take care of) paid attention to, considered, or deliberated on
So, the phrase can be translated as
« the most holy gods, and deliberated about that; »
This suggests a scene where the gods, described as exceedingly holy, are engaged in serious deliberation or consideration about a particular matter. It conveys a sense of solemnity and significance to the council or decision-making process the gods are involved in.
nátt ok niðjum nöfn um gáfu,
nátt: night
ok: and
niðjum: offspring, descendants (in this context, it could refer to the various aspects or phases of the night)
nöfn: names
um: about, concerning
gáfu: gave (past tense of « gefa, » to give)
Thus, the phrase can be translated as
« night and [its] offspring names they gave, »
indicating that the gods named the night and its various phases or aspects, underscores the gods’ authority over time itself, marking significant moments within the daily cycle.
This line suggests the act of naming as an important mythological motif, symbolizing the imposition of order and understanding upon the natural world.
morgin hétu ok miðjan dag,
morgin: morning
hétu: named/called, past tense of « heita » From Proto-Germanic *haitaną, from “to set in motion”
ok: and
miðjan dag: midday
So, this phrase can be translated as
« morning they named and midday, »
indicating that the gods named the time of morning and the time of midday. This continues the theme of naming various aspects of time, illustrating the gods’ role in structuring the natural world and its cycles, thus bringing order and understanding to the cosmos.
undorn ok aptan, árum at telja
undorn: afternoon
ok: and
aptan: evening
árum: years
at: to
telja: count
« afternoon and evening, to count the years, »
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