complete verse (Exodus 25:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 25:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “Someone make two poles from acacia (wood) which will be used for carrying the table and coat (them) with gold.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “To make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold. And that same poles must carry the table.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These poles must be acacia and covered with gold.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And you (pl.) must make two carrying-poles from akas wood and then enwrap them with wide pieces of gol.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And you chop white-acacia two for its carry-wood, apply it with gold red.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Make two poles from acacia wood and cover them with gold. The poles for carrying the table are to be inserted in the rings.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

acacia

The plural form of shittah (shittim) is used sometimes as a place name (see Shittim), which is evidence of the wide distribution of this tree in Sinai and southern Palestine. The acacia referred to in the Bible was of two kinds, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia Acacia tortilis and the Common Acacia Acacia raddiana.

The Acacia tortilis is found in the hot Arabah Valley, whereas the Acacia raddiana tends to be found in cooler conditions throughout Sinai. A third variety (Acacia albida) is found in lowland Israel, the Sharon Plain, and lower Galilee. The common acacia was the only tree available to the Israelites for construction of the Tabernacle.

Both types of acacia are short, reaching 3-5 meters (10-17 feet) tall, but having a wide crown. As members of the Mimosa family, they have sharp spines, finely divided leaves, and tiny pale yellow flowers arranged in drooping bunches. The bean pod they produce is twisted and looped when dry.

Since the acacia is widespread in dry areas of Africa, Arabia, India and Australia, translators in those areas should be able to use a local word. In such languages a local species should be used, especially one that is used for building. Elsewhere, if none of these is available, the translator can transliterate from Hebrew (shittah) or from a major language, for example, sunt or talh (Arabic), akasiya (English/French/Spanish via Latin). West African translators need to beware of confusing “acacia” and “cassia,” a common tree with yellow flowers.

Acacia raddiana, photo by Ray Pritz
Acacia flowers, photo by Gloria Suesss

Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 25:28

You shall make the poles of acacia wood is almost identical with verse 13. And overlay them with gold is identical with the same phrase in verse 13.

And the table shall be carried with these is literally “and will be lifted by them the table.” Good News Translation omits this clause, since it repeats what is said in verse 27. Durham calls the poles “carrying-poles.”

Alternative translation models for verses 24-28 are:

• Cover the table with pure gold and put a gold border around it. Make a wooden frame 3 inches wide to go around the table, and fasten it to the legs. Then place a gold border around the frame. Make four gold rings and attach one to each of the legs, near the frame. Place the poles for carrying the table through these rings. Make these poles out of acacia wood and cover them with gold.

Or a model reversing the order of verses 27 and 28:

• … Make two poles out of acacia wood for carrying the table, and cover them with gold. Then place these poles through the rings.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .