Thou gavest thy good Spirit: The Hebrew word rendered Spirit (ruach) literally means “breath” or “wind.” It was present at creation in Gen 1.2 and it is the source of life to human beings and to all living creatures (Gen 2.7; Psa 104.29-30). The Spirit is identified as good to distinguish it from an evil spirit (see 1 Sam 16.14-16). Many translations write “spirit” with a small initial letter to suggest that it refers to God’s presence (so Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Others write “Spirit” with a capital first letter to suggest that it refers to the Holy Spirit (so Contemporary English Version, New King James Version , New Living Translation, Bible en français courant, Segond). If this interpretation is followed, then the term “Holy Spirit” should be used so the hearer would know what is meant. Since the verse here is a reference to Num 11.17 where it is clear that the “spirit” refers to the ability given by God to the 70 elders to bear the burdens of Moses, it is advised that “spirit” with a small initial letter or an equivalent term be used. The alternative interpretation should be indicated in a footnote.
To instruct them: The Law is not given again here, but God’s good Spirit is given to instruct them in keeping the Law. Compare this with the example of the 70 elders who were given God’s spirit for helping Moses with judicial duties in Num 11.16-17, 24-29. Good News Translation expresses the meaning in very general terms, omitting explicit reference either to the Spirit or to instruction, and translators should do likewise. Bible en français courant translates “to render them intelligent,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “that they might have discernment.”
Didst not withhold thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst: God gave them manna to eat and water to drink. Manna was the food that God provided for the Israelites to eat during the forty years that they were in the wilderness. It was a small substance that had the shape of a flake or a wafer (see Exo 16.14, 31). An explanation of manna may be included in the glossary. There is a play on the Hebrew words withhold (manaʿta) and thy manna (maneka). The translator should not try to imitate or reproduce this wordplay in the receptor language if it will not sound natural. In many languages the word “manna” is borrowed and adapted to local pronunciation and spelling.
From their mouth is an idiom that refers to eating. For the first half of this sentence, Revised English Bible leaves this information implicit by saying “you did not withhold your manna.” Other versions that use a more common style of English change the sentence to a positive affirmation as Good News Translation has done (also Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant). This will be more natural in many language, but it loses some of the poetic flavor of the Hebrew.
For their thirst may be stated more fully; for example, “when they were thirsty” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “to quench their thirst.”
Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .