fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Exodus 35:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 35:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “the lampstand and all its fittings, lamps and lamp-oil,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “the lampstand and its materials then oil for the lamps,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the place-to-put the lights and the things-to-use of-it; the lights/lamps and the oil for the lights/lamps;” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “and [the] lams stand (lit. leg) together with its lams, and its other things which are for giving light to the shelter’s interior, and the lams oil,” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “with lampstand, with its things, with its bowls, with its oil,” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “the lampstand for the lamps with all the things that will be used to take care of them, the oil for the lamps,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 35:13 - 35:14

The table with its poles, literally “and the table and its poles,” is discussed at 25.23-28. And all its utensils uses the same general term for utensils as 30.27. (See the comment at 30.26-28.) And the bread of the Presence is discussed at 25.30.

The lampstand also for the light, literally “and the menorah of the light,” is discussed at 25.31-36. The word for light is a different word from “lamp” in 25.37. It is a general term meaning a “luminary” or “source of light,” so here it refers to the lampstand as the source of light produced by the lamps. With its utensils is the same word as verse 13, but all is not repeated. And its lamps is the same as 25.37. (See the comment there.) And the oil for the light uses the general word for oil and repeats the same word for the light. (See the comment at 25.6.)

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 .