3:4a

But: The Hebrew adverb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But indicates a restriction. It can also be translated as “however” or “but.” The Israelites were told to follow behind the covenant box, but they must not get too close to it.

keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark: The clause keep a distance…between yourselves and the ark is a command. The officers told the people to walk a long way behind the covenant box.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

you (plur.) must leave a distance between you and the covenant box

about two thousand cubits: A “cubit” is the length of the forearm, or about half a meter. Two thousand cubits is about one kilometer, or half a mile. Use the units of measurement most familiar in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

However, there must be about half a mile between you and the covenant box.
-or-
But you must stay about one kilometer away from the holy chest.

3:4b

Do not go near it: Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Do not follow it too closely

3:4c

so that: The Hebrew preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that indicates purpose. It can also be translated “in order that” or “that.”

you can see the way to go: The clause you can see the way to go explains the purpose of following the covenant box. The box will lead the Israelites on the path they should take.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

so that you will know which path to go on

since: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as since indicates a reason. It can also be translated as “because.” The covenant box will show them the way because they have not gone on this path before.

you have never traveled this way before: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:

you have never traveled along this path before

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of these clauses, as the Good News Translation has done:

You have never been here before, so they will show you the way to go. (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 3:4a-b

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

4b But do not get near the Covenant Box; 4a stay about half a mile behind it. (Good News Translation)

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