opobalsamum (balsam; balm)

The Hebrew word bosem, which is often rendered “balm” (derived from “balsam”), can refer to any type of aromatic healing substance, but it also designates the product of a particular tree, the balsam or opobalsamum Commiphora gileadensis. Arabs call it balasam or balasham. In the Talmud it is called afarsimon. Excavations near En Gedi have uncovered an ancient processing plant for balsam oil.

The opobalsamum tree likes a desert or semi-desert climate. It grows to 2‑3 meters (7‑10 feet) tall and has small, wrinkled, three-part leaves, white flowers, and pea-sized red berries that have a fragrant yellow seed inside. The bark of younger branches is gray, turning brown with age. The resin appears by itself in green droplets from the stems and branches, but collectors also make cuts in the branches to speed the process. The droplets turn from green to brown, clump together, and fall to the ground, where they are collected.

In Bible times, balsam oil was used in holy anointing oil, as medicine, and as an ingredient of perfume.

A generic word or phrase for sweet-smelling substances is appropriate to render bosem, although where a specific name for the balsam tree is available, as in southwestern Arabia and Somalia, this could also be used. At least one hundred species of the genus Commiphora are spread throughout dry areas of the world. Translators in some areas will know the plants; others may know only the dried resin of Commiphora sold in spice markets.

Balsam tree, Photo by Nigel Hepper

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

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 35:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 35:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “oil for lamps, oils/fat which smell sweet which is added to the anointing oil and things which smell sweet when burnt/incense.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “olive oil for the lamp, spices for the anointing oil and fragrance incense.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “olive oil for the lamps, spices for the oil used for anointing oil and for the sweet-smelling incense,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And also, it’s good for them to bring lam oil and things having a good smell for mixing together with rubbing oil which is a sign of the things belonging to God. And also, it’s good for them to bring things having a good smell for mixing together with incense for making smoke having a good smell.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “with fat of lamp, with that which smell sweet for fat of anointing with incense,” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “oil for the lamps, spices to put in the olive oil for anointing and in the sweet-smelling incense,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 35:8 - 35:9

These two verses are also identical with 25.6-7, with the exception that the conjunction waw is added before oil, spices, and onyx stones. (See the comment there.)

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 .