complete verse (2 Chronicles 4:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 4:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “He also made that big thing for water and the twelve things like oxen which that thing rested upon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Huram made a bronze tank and under that [he made] 12 oxen.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the water container which is-called Sea and its stand which are twelve oxen;” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “the very large tank, and the statues of twelve bulls underneath it,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 4:15

The one sea, and the twelve oxen underneath it (verse 15): See the comments on verses 2-5.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Chronicles 4:15

4:15 the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;

He made the basin called the Sea. He also made the twelve bulls/oxen on which the Sea was placed.
-or-
He also made the large basin/bowl and the 12 bulls/oxen that supported it.

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