complete verse (Exodus 39:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 39:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “(They/He) arranged/made for the pocket worn on the chest (breastpiece) two chains of pure gold which were plaited as a rope.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They made spurned chains of pure gold to fasten the breastplate in the ephod.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They also put seemingly-ring that-is pure gold the like-pocket(s) on the breast.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And also, they took good gol and then braided two gol cords so that they became like a braided-rope, and so it was for holding the small cloth for the chest of the man of offerings.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “They also pound gold red into chain, bind cloth of heart with it.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They made two chains from pure gold and braided them like cords, to attach the sacred pouch to the sacred apron.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 39:15 - 39:16

Verse 15 is the same as 28.22, with the exception of the verb, which is here literally “and they made.” Verse 16 is quite similar to 28.23, but the reference to the two settings of gold filigree is added here. Literally the Hebrew has “and they made two settings of gold.” The word for settings is the same as that used in 28.11 and only implies the idea of filigree. (See the comment there and at verse 13 above.) These “two gold settings” (Good News Translation) are first mentioned in 28.13 and again in 28.25. (See the comment there.) They are mentioned again in verse 18 below.

And two gold rings is the same as in 28.23. The rest of verse 16 is the same as 28.23, with the exception of the verb, which here shows the completed action. (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 .

Translation commentary on Exod 39:24 - 39:26

These verses refer to the instructions given in 28.33-34. They are not identical in wording, however. On the skirts of the robe is changed from “On its skirts,” but the meaning is the same. They made is changed from “you shall make.” Pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet stuff is the same as 28.33, but the words and fine twined linen are added here. Literally the Hebrew has only “twisted,” which usually follows the word for fine … linen. A few translations relate this word to the blue and purple and scarlet stuff. For example, Revised English Bible translates it as “finely woven,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “twisted,” referring to the same thing. For some reason this word is missing in the Masoretic Text, but it probably should be added here.

Bells of pure gold is changed from “bells of gold” in 28.33. And put the bells … changes the word order of 28.34. The verb put, literally “and they put,” is not used at all in 28.33-34. The bells, of course, refers to the “bells of gold,” as they are called in 28.33. The word gold is not repeated again here, in contrast to the repetition of “golden bell” in 28.34. Upon the skirts of the robe round about is the same as in 28.34, but it is advanced here in verse 25 before the repetition of verse 26. Between the pomegranates, literally “in the midst of the pomegranates,” is repeated twice here, whereas 28.33 has simply “between them” one time only.

The first part of verse 26 is identical with 28.34, except that “a golden bell” is simply a bell. The second part of verse 26 is added. For ministering is literally “to serve,” the same word used in 28.35. (See the comment there.) And for the fifth time the formula as the LORD had commanded Moses is added. (See the comment at verse 1 above.)

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 .