sanctuary

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “sanctuary” in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with opatulika or “separated place.” This is understood in a religious setup as a place designated for worship. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (2 Chronicles 4:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 4:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “the lamps and the things where the lamps were placed (those lamps burned to shine in front of the Inner room according to how it had to be),” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “the lamps and lampstands of pure gold to burn inside at the front of the Holy Place as prescribed,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the place-to-put the lamp(s) which-are pure gold and its lamps which is-being-lighted before/[lit. in front] of the Most Holy place according to the rule/[that-which-is-to-be-followed] about it;” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “the pure gold lampstands and the pure gold lamps, in which the priests put oil to burn in front of the Most Holy Place as God had told Moses that the priests should do,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 4:20

The lampstands and their lamps of pure gold: See verse 7 and the comments on 1 Chr 28.15. The meaning of the Hebrew word translated pure is uncertain. Some scholars think it comes from a word meaning “to heat in an oven.” According to this interpretation, the gold would have been heated to remove the impurities. Others think it means “red” (so Revised English Bible). Another possible solution is that the word comes from a root meaning “to shut” or “to close,” with the meaning that this gold was something rare and valuable. Pure gold most likely refers to the highest quality gold. See the comments on 1 Chr 28.17, where a similar expression in Hebrew occurs.

To burn before the inner sanctuary: Inner sanctuary translates the Hebrew term debir, which refers to the Most Holy Place (see the comments on 2 Chr 3.16). Translations include “Debir” (New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem), “inner room” (God’s Word, La Bible du Semeur), and “Most Holy Place” (Good News Translation). It will be better to translate the Hebrew word, since the word “Debir” will have no meaning in other languages.

As prescribed is literally “according to the plan.” See the comments on 2Chr 4.7, where a similar expression in Hebrew occurs. For languages that have to avoid passive constructions, this clause may be rendered “in the way that God ordered,” “according to the rule that God established,” or “as the law required.”

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 4:20

4:20a the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps,

He made the lampstands and lamps of pure gold.
-or-
He also made the pure gold lamps and lampstands.

4:20b to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed;

According to the specification for them, the lamps were burned in front of the inner sanctuary/room.
-or-
They were to be burned in front of the most holy room, just as was commanded.

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