complete verse (Exodus 37:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 37:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “He made/prepared four rings of gold and fixed (them) at the stands/legs/feet of the box. Two were on one side, the other two were on the other side.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Casting four gold rings for it he fastened them to the four stands of the ark. He fastened two at one side and two at another side.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They also made four gold seemingly-rings for-it and fastened/connected to its four feet.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And also, he made four gol ring-handles for the box and then affixed them onto the four small legs of the box. He affixed two ring-handles on the end of the box on one side, and two others on the end of the box’s opposite side.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “He pound gold red four it be bored hole, and he sealed under box, two in front, two at back.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “He made/cast four rings from gold and fastened them to the legs of the chest. He put two rings on each side of the chest.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 37:3

This verse is identical with 25.12 with two exceptions. The verb he cast here shows the completed action. And the verb “you shall put” in 25.12 is not used here. It is only implied that he actually attached the rings to the sides of the ark. It may be necessary in some languages to make it clear that he “attached them” (Good News Translation) to the sides of the ark, if this will not be understood otherwise. New International Version adds the words “and fastened them.”

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 .