complete verse (1 Kings 7:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 7:34:

  • Kupsabiny: “Each of this tables had had one peg in every corner which was attached to the table.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Each of the carts had four handles that were coming out from the corners of the cart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Every cart has four handles — one for every side, and it was already made/formed together with the cart when (it) was-being-made.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “At the top corners of each cart there were handles. These were cast in the same mold as the rest of the cart.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 7:34

There were four supports at the four corners of each stand: Supports is more literally “shoulders.” See the comments on verse 30. However, it is not clear if the supports here are the same as in verse 30. Contemporary English Version views them as different (see the Contemporary English Version model at the end of the discussion on verse 35). Good News Translation leaves implicit the fact that the corners were four in number, but this may not be self-evident in some languages. Unless it is unnatural to do so, this detail should probably be included in translation.

To say that the supports were of one piece with the stands means that they were cast together at the same time. They were not made separately and then put together (see the comments on verse 32).

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 7:34

7:34a Each stand had four handles, one for each corner,

The Hebrew word that the New International Version translates as “handles” is literally “shoulders.” The Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and some other English versions translate this as “supports.” The function of these supports is uncertain.

The bases had four handles each, with one handle at each corner.
-or-
In each of the four corners of the water cart was a brace/support ⌊for pulling/pushing the cart⌋.

7:34b projecting from the stand.

(Good News Translation🙂 which were of one piece with the cart.

The handles and the base were cast/made together in one piece.
-or-
They molded/formed the braces/supports together with the cart.

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