Translation commentary on Jeremiah 6:20

Frankincense is a sweet-smelling gum resin, which may be ground into powder and burned to produce a fragrant odor. According to Exo 30.34-38, it was one of the primary ingredients in the incense used in the worship of the LORD. If translators are familiar with a similar substance, they may use that in the translation. Some have tried to use “thing which smells sweet when it burns.” But in this context, it is the use in worship that is important, so others have translated “the incense from the land of Sheba that you burn to worship me.”

Sheba was a tribe of southwest Arabia, famous for trading in spices, gold, and jewels. The name is here used of the region where that tribe lived.

Sweet cane was a type of reed that produced an aromatic oil. The context shows that it was imported, or at least rare. Apparently it was used for anointing in worship in the temple. Therefore translators can say something like “anointing oil from far away” or “sweet oil for anointing when you worship.” Both frankincense and sweet cane would be considered expensive and costly substances.

For frankincense to come to me, an agent must be involved, and so Good News Translation translates “What do I care about the incense they bring me…?” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar.

The first two clauses can be rendered so that the idea of worship is made clear: “What do I care [or, It is not important to me] if they worship me with incense [they have brought] from the land of Sheba or oil from far away.”

Burnt offerings (see 7.21) were completely burned on the altar. The term can be translated “the offerings you burn on the altar for me.” Sacrifices (whether of sheep, goats, or cattle) were offered to the LORD, but portions of them could be eaten by the person who presented the sacrifice. Thus the sacrifice symbolized communion between the LORD and the person who offered it. Translators can say “the animals you sacrifice to me.”

There is no real distinction to be made between acceptable and pleasing, though the restructuring of Good News Translation is valid: “I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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