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)

In Malagasy culture, the sea is perceived as sacred because it was a path taken by the ancestors. That is why the Malagasy word for the “sea” is ranomasina, which literally means “the sacred water.” The word masina actually has two different meanings: “salted” and “sacred/holy.” Salt is used for the conservation of some foods, such as meat or fish, that are to be set aside for later use. In this sense, the Malagasy phrase for “Holy Spirit” has the literal meaning of “Salted Spirit.” (Source: Brigitte Rabarijaona in The Bible Translator 2022, p. 103ff.)

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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