The Greek that is translated as “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw” in English is translated in Enlhet as “expensive things and ordinary things cheap.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. )
In Matumbi, “silver and precious stones” as “valuable gems and valuable stones” (for instance rubies or sapphires vs. something like marble). The Matumbi word for “sliver” is used for “money” and the Matumbi don’t see a clear distinction between precious metals and rock. The word for “straw” is maakapi, i.e. the material left over after harvesting corn. It’s considered relatively useless but can be used to build a shelter, just like the Greek tat is translated as “straw.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 3:12:
Uma: “If there are workers of God’s whose work doing God’s work is good, they can be compared to a house maker who builds a house with many kinds of good stuff, for example gold, silver and expensive stones. If there are those whose doing of God’s work is not good, they are like a house builder who builds a house using what is not so good, like wood, grass and straw.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “The ones building the house use different kinds of materials. That means their teachings are not equally valuable. Figuratively some use material that is valuable and difficult to destroy like gold or silver or precious stones. Others use materials that easily burn like wood and cogon and woven-coconut-leaves.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If someone built a house on Jesus Christ, there are many materials of the house that he uses. And as for these materials, the interpretation of them is teaching. And for example, if the teaching of one person is really helpful, then this material is like gold, silver and expensive stones, because this cannot be burned up by fire. But if the teaching is not very helpful, this is just like wood and grass and bamboo, because these, by contrast, can easily be burned up.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “But it is possible that different-things be used to be-built-on the foundation. Because there are those who build-with gold and silver and expensive stones and there are also those who build with wood and reeds and rice-straw.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “But the construction-materials being used by the builders are not the same. There are those which are very good like gold, silver, and valuable stones. There are also ones which are not good, like softwoods, grass or just stubble-after-harvest.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “But now, there are many stones being used by those who continue the work of building. Some of the workers place stones of gold in the house. Others of the workers place stones of silver. Or other place stones which appear very beautiful. And others of the workers put wood in the house. Others put in grass. Others put straw in the house.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
There are two general types of reed in Israel, the Common Reed Phragmites australis and the Giant Reed Arundo donax, and it is impossible to say which one is intended in a given biblical context.
The English word “cane” comes from the Hebrew word qaneh. Qaneh is the most general Hebrew word of the many referring to reeds and rushes. Like the English word “reed,” it may refer to a specific type of reed or be a general name for several kinds of water plant. This word is also used to refer to the stalk of grain in Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41:5, Genesis 41:22), to the shaft and branches of the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31 et al.), to the beam of a scale (Isaiah 46:6), to the upper arm of a person (Job 31:22), to a measuring stick (Ezekiel 40:3 et al.), and to aromatic cane (Song of Songs 4:14 et al.).
The common reed is a tall grass with stiff, sharply-pointed leaves and a plume-like flower head that reaches to more than 2 meters (7 feet). It grows in lakes and streams, the roots creeping across the bottom of the lake to produce new leaves and stalks.
The giant reed is similar to the common reed but tends to grow not in the water but on the river banks. Its majestic plumes can reach up to 5 meters (17 feet) in height on hollow stalks that look like bamboo.
Reeds of both kinds were used for baskets, mats, flutes, pens, arrows, and roof-coverings. Isaiah 42:3 says that the Messiah will be gentle with weak people (“a bruised reed he will not break”), in contrast to the typical iron-fisted tyrants of the day. The Pharaoh is likened to an undependable reed staff in 2 Kings 18:21 et al. In 1 Kings 14:15 Israel is compared to a reed shaking in the water.
The common reed of the Mediterranean area has relatives in Europe, India, Japan, and North America. It is thought to be the only species of the genus Phragmites (although some botanists divide it into three species). It is very important for conservationists, because it provides habitat for many kinds of animals and birds. In North America the weaker native type is being overtaken by more robust types from Europe, which are now threatening other kinds of marsh plants. In Japan people eat the young shoots of reeds. Native Americans used to eat the seeds.
Translators living near lakes and rivers will be able to find an equivalent, if not a relative, of the reed. Others can be generic and use “grass” or a phrase such as “tall grass growing in the water.”
In this verse Paul uses figurative language again and turns his attention to the materials used in building. The return to figurative language is marked by Now, which Good News Bible omits. The word if introduces a real or fulfilled condition: Paul has already said that people have been building on the foundation he has laid (see, for example, verse 10). Barrett translates this first phrase as “Whatever anyone builds….” The any is quite general, as Good News Bible shows by the plural “Some.” Good News Bible‘s “others” is a good English translation, for it brings out the implied contrast between valuable and cheap building materials. Translators in some languages will have to add the word “people” after the words “Some” and “others”: “Some people”; “other people.”
Good News Bible‘s “in building” is a difficult construction. One may also say “when they build on.”
The foundation refers to verse 11, where the same word is mentioned. Translators in certain languages will need to make this reference clear by saying “this foundation.” For the translation of foundation see verse 10.
Many commentators are uncertain as to the exact meaning of the two Greek words that are translated precious stones and straw. Concerning the first word, most translations pick precious stones, and this fits in well with the reference to gold and silver, and with such descriptions as those found in Isa 54.11-12; Rev 21.18-21. In some cultures, however, it seems strange to use jewels in a building—though this was done in India in building the Taj Mahal. For this reason New English Bible translates this word as “fine stone,” that is, stone of finest quality, or “expensive stones,” which is the meaning of the second phrase in the Septuagint of 1 Kgs 7.9-11 (3 Kingdoms 7.46-48 in Greek); but Revised English Bible has “precious stones,” which is the most likely meaning. As for the second word, straw is the most likely meaning, although “stubble” is possible. Other scholars feel that “reeds” is intended, since reeds are often a symbol of weakness in the Old Testament. The translator must keep in mind that in this context the point is that wood, grass, and straw will burn, while gold, silver, and jewels or fine stones will not.
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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