complete verse (Exodus 25:38)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 25:38:

  • Kupsabiny: “Someone make things which are to be used for cutting wicks and things for scooping/containing ash from pure gold.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The wick-trimmers and the things-for-catching the ash which is wick of the lamp should also be pure gold.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And you (pl.) must make gol tongs to be for cutting the end of the lams’ wiks. And also, make the lams’ gol plate.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Its candle-extinguisher, and platter which they throw candle which be quenched there, you shall forge it with gold which not [eye] be mixed with other things.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Tell them to make tongs from pure gold, to remove the burned wicks and trays in which to put the burned wicks.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 25:38

Snuffers refers to a pair of “tongs” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), a tool similar to pliers or tweezers, which was used to remove the burned wick. New American Bible interprets the word to mean “trimming shears,” and New International Version has “trimmers.” However, an instrument like “tweezers” or “tongs” is more likely. Trays refers to the small pans or receptacles where the burned wicks were placed. Revised English Bible has “firepans,” and Translator’s Old Testament has “snuff-trays.” Their trays means “the snuffers’ trays,” but the Hebrew has “its trays,” meaning the lampstand’s trays. How many “tongs” and “trays” were to be made is not indicated.

There is no verb in this verse, but the verb “make” in verse 37 is understood. So Good News Translation has “Make its tongs and trays of pure gold.” For pure gold see the comment at verse 31. Contemporary English Version adds “for taking care of the lamps.” This will be a helpful addition for many translators, showing the function of the “tongs and trays.”

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 .