complete verse (Exodus 36:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 36:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “and forty silver things for those frames to stand on were made. Each of the frames stood on two of those things and were squeezed/tightened with two pegs.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They made forty silver bases under the twenty planks- two- two bases under each plank.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They inserted these frames to the 40 silver bases — two bases to each frame.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And also, he made forty silva post bases to be for the standing-up of the wall bones. And for each of the pieces of wall bones, he put silva post-bases two-each.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “and they pound gold white, be it for its planting-holes. They made hole two for building-wood one.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They made 40 silver bases to go underneath them. Two bases went under each frame. The projections on each frame fit into these bases.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 36:23 - 36:24

Verses 23-24 are almost identical with 26.18-19, but again the verbs here show completed action and are translated in the past tense. And the second person (“you”) is changed to third person (he). He made thus is literally “he made,” with thus added to introduce the details that follow. New Revised Standard Version has “in this way,” and New American Bible has “as follows.” Good News Translation changes the he to “they” and omits the first clause as unnecessary (so also New International Version).

The problem of the two tenons, which Good News Translation translates as “two projections,” is discussed at 26.19.

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 .