complete verse (Exodus 37:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 37:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “(He) prepared those acacia runners/poles and after that he coated them with gold.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They made the carrying poles of acacia wood and overlaid with gold.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The poles was-made of acacia (wood) and was-cover-over with gold.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And he took akas wood, and then made two poles, and when it was done, then he wrapped them with wide pieces of gol.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And they chop white-acacia two for its carry-wood, apply it with gold red.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “He made those two poles from acacia wood and covered them with gold.” (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 37:27 - 37:28

These verses correspond with 30.4-5. The verbs, of course, are changed from future tense to past tense in the translation, to show the completed action indicated by the Hebrew verbs. In verse 27 the verb “they shall be” (30.4) is omitted. As holders for the poles is literally “for houses for the poles.” Other than these differences the text is the same as 30.4-5. (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 .