complete verse (Exodus 36:36)

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

  • Kupsabiny: “(They) prepared/made four pillars out of acacia wood to catch/hold the golden clips which the curtain would be hanging from. (They) covered/coated those pillars with gold and made them to stand on four things of silver.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They made four pillars of acacia wood for it and overlaid with gold. Its tightening hooks were gold. They made silver bases for them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They also made four posts of acacia that has gold hooks, and they hang/attached the curtain there. These four posts set-inside/(inserted) to the four silver bases.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it was done, then he took akas wood and then made four long posts for that cloth. He wrapped those four posts with wide pieces of gol, and when it was done, then he erected them so that they stood in their silva post-bases. And when it was done, then he affixed gol hooks onto those posts, and so the big cloth hung up onto it.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And they chop white-acacia four for its hanging-wood. That tree, they applied it with gold red, and they pound gold red, made crooks it head, sealed it at its body. Also, they pound gold white its planting-holes.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They suspended/hung the curtain from four posts that were made from acacia wood and covered with gold. They set each post in a silver base.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

acacia

The plural form of shittah (shittim) is used sometimes as a place name (see Shittim), which is evidence of the wide distribution of this tree in Sinai and southern Palestine. The acacia referred to in the Bible was of two kinds, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia Acacia tortilis and the Common Acacia Acacia raddiana.

The Acacia tortilis is found in the hot Arabah Valley, whereas the Acacia raddiana tends to be found in cooler conditions throughout Sinai. A third variety (Acacia albida) is found in lowland Israel, the Sharon Plain, and lower Galilee. The common acacia was the only tree available to the Israelites for construction of the Tabernacle.

Both types of acacia are short, reaching 3-5 meters (10-17 feet) tall, but having a wide crown. As members of the Mimosa family, they have sharp spines, finely divided leaves, and tiny pale yellow flowers arranged in drooping bunches. The bean pod they produce is twisted and looped when dry.

Since the acacia is widespread in dry areas of Africa, Arabia, India and Australia, translators in those areas should be able to use a local word. In such languages a local species should be used, especially one that is used for building. Elsewhere, if none of these is available, the translator can transliterate from Hebrew (shittah) or from a major language, for example, sunt or talh (Arabic), akasiya (English/French/Spanish via Latin). West African translators need to beware of confusing “acacia” and “cassia,” a common tree with yellow flowers.

Acacia raddiana, photo by Ray Pritz
Acacia flowers, photo by Gloria Suesss

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

Translation commentary on Exod 36:36

This verse shows the completed action of the work commanded in 26.32. He made should be “they made,” and the verbs overlaid and he cast should likewise be made plural, as explained in the comments above. Acacia is used here without the addition of “wood,” as in verses 20 and 31 above. It may be necessary in some languages, however, to say “acacia wood.” For them, of course, refers to the four pillars and not to their hooks. (See the comment at 26.32.)

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 .