complete verse (Exodus 29:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 29:34:

  • Kupsabiny: “And if there is any meat and bread left over to the next day, it should not be eaten because (it) has been set apart, but it should all be completely burnt.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If the meat of the ordination ram and any bread is left over till morning burn those remaining on fire. It must not be eaten because it is sacred.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If any of these foods are-left the next morning, they should be-burned. It may- not -be-eaten, for (it is) only for the priests.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And if that sipsip’s meat/flesh together with that bret is remaining until morning, then they aren’t able to eat it. They must cook it with fire so that it completely burns and is finished, because that food also has a mark of ownership.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And animal of consecration of priests with its bread, if it will remain, you shall say to them they must burn it with fire in the morning. Others, they must not (imp.) it eat [flesh], because it be sacred.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “If any of this meat or some of the bread is not eaten that night, no one is permitted to eat any of it the next day. It must be completely burned, because it is sacred/dedicated to me.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 29:34

And if any of the flesh for the ordination … remain is literally “And if [it] remains from the flesh of the ordination.” This refers to the meat of the ram to be sacrificed for the ordination ceremony. Or of the bread refers to the unleavened bread in the basket (verse 2). Until the morning means until daybreak, as in 12.10.

Then you shall burn the remainder with fire uses the singular you, suggesting that Moses was to do the burning rather than the priests. This, of course, does not apply to future ceremonies, so Good News Translation changes to the passive, “it is to be burned.” To avoid the passive and not have to use “you,” one may translate “they [unknown agent] shall burn it.” It shall not be eaten uses the strong prohibitive form of the ten commandments. (See the comment at 20.3, the first paragraph.) Because it is holy is identical with verse 33, except for the singular it. This means that by morning not even the priests were allowed to eat any leftover food, and for the same reason.

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 .