Translation commentary on Exod 38:6 - 38:7

These verses include the same details given in 27.6-8 with only a few changes. Verse 6 condenses what is commanded in 27.6, and of course it changes the tense of the verbs to show completed action. And he put the poles through the rings is literally “and he caused the poles to enter into the rings.” Note that it says the poles and not “its poles” as in 27.7. And here it says on the sides of the altar, not “the two sides of the altar.” To carry it with them, literally “to carry it by them,” is changed from “in carrying it” in 27.7.

He made it hollow, with boards is identical with the first part of 27.8, with the exception of the change in the verb. This probably means “he made it as a hollow wooden box” (Translator’s Old Testament), or “was shaped like an open box” (Contemporary English Version). (See the comment at 27.8.)

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Exod 39:42 - 39:43

Verse 42 is almost identical with the second part of verse 32 above. Only the word order is changed. All the work is literally “all the service [or, labor],” as in the first part of verse 32. So verse 42 concludes the section in the same words as it begins (verse 32).

And Moses saw all the work is quite literal. The word for work may mean “task,” or “labor,” or “mission.” It is not the same word used in verse 42. The word for saw may also mean “examined” (Good News Translation) or “inspected” (Revised English Bible and others). So this means that Moses probably gave “everything” that had been made a thorough examination. And behold is the frequently used marker for calling attention to what follows—in this case, they had done it. Most translations omit behold, but some bring out the emphasis in different ways: “and in fact” (Durham), “and here” (Fox), “indeed” (New Jerusalem Bible), “exactly” (Translator’s Old Testament).

As the LORD had commanded, so had they done it repeats the same idea for emphasis. The addition of the word had, the English pluperfect, helps to show that the work had already been done. And Moses blessed them means that Moses spoke some words of good fortune for them. His blessing was probably in the form of a pronouncement, calling on Yahweh to grant them all the good things in life, such as health, happiness, and long life.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Exodus 33:4

When the people heard these evil tidings is literally “And the people heard this evil word.” New Revised Standard Version has “these harsh words,” and New American Bible has “this bad news.” Good News Translation simply has “When the people heard this.” They mourned really means to observe mourning rites for the dead, but here it shows the extent of their remorse. Durham has “they plunged themselves into deep mourning,” but this may be too strong. Revised English Bible has “they went about like mourners,” which may be closer to the intended meaning. In some languages it will be necessary to say something like “When the people heard what Yahweh had said, they began to weep, showing their sorrow.”

And no man put on his ornaments is literally “and they did not put a man his ornament[s] upon them.” Ornaments comes from the verb meaning “to adorn oneself,” so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “none put on his finery,” and Durham has “not one of them wore his festive dress.” Good News Translation has “they … did not wear jewelry any more,” but this is not the usual word for “jewelry.” These ornaments may have included both fancy clothing and the “jewelry” not included in the gold earrings that were used to make the golden bull-calf. So one may say “they stopped wearing their beautiful clothes and ornaments.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .