complete verse (1 Kings 7:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 7:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those tables had wide/flat metals which were fixed on posts of iron.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They were made in this way. These carts had wooden boards, and these boards were put into frames.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This is how the cart was-made: its walls have seems-like-squares” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “On the sides of the carts there were panels which were set in frames.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 7:28

This was the construction of the stands: This introductory statement may be left implicit in certain languages (so Good News Translation). The context will make it clear that what follows is a statement about how these carts were constructed. The description that follows through verse 37 is not at all clear. These verses contain repetition and information that seems contradictory.

They had panels: Four panels made the bottom part of each cart, so that it had the appearance of a box on wheels. These were probably flat bronze sheets that were square. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “insets.” Apparently the Hebrew word refers to some kind of enclosure. Other versions speak of “borders” (New Revised Standard Version), but “borders within frames” are difficult to picture.

The panels were set in the frames: The frames were like picture frames surrounding the panels on all four sides.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Kings 7:28

7:28 This was the design of the stands: They had side panels attached to uprights,

The meaning of the Hebrew words that the New International Version translates as “side panels” and “uprights” is uncertain. You may wish to follow your majority language version.

Here is how he built the bases. Each base had panels connected to the frames.
-or-
He constructed the carts/wagons by attaching sheets ⌊of metal/bronze⌋ to each of the frames.

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