complete verse (Exodus 36:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 36:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, all the frames on the west side are eight and the things of silver which those frames stand on are sixteen going in two’s while each frame is standing on (them).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way they made eight planks there. Then they made sixteen silver bases – two-two under each planks.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So there were eight frames to this part of the Tent, and it set-inside the 16 silver bases — two bases for each frames.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “[Since] it was like that, then the shelter’s short side at the back had bone pieces which amounted to eight together with their sixteen silva post-bases. Below each of the pieces of wall bones, he put silva post-bases two-each.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Therefore, behind tent, there be building-wood eight with its planting-holes which be 16, and they put hole two under building-wood one.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “In that way, for the rear of the Sacred Tent there were eight frames, and there were 16 bases, two bases under each frame.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 36:30

Verse 30 is identical with 26.25 in every way except for the last phrase. Under every frame two bases is literally “two bases two bases under one frame” (repeating “two bases”), while in 26.25 it is literally “two bases under one frame and two bases under one frame.” Revised Standard Version shows this difference by shortening the phrase. Good News Translation translates the same in both places, “two under each frame.” There is no difference in meaning.

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 .