complete verse (Exodus 39:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 39:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that, (they) made two small rings of gold and tightened/fixed them on the two corners of that pocket of chest on the upper part.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Making the two gold filigree settings and two gold rings they sewed them to the two corners of the breastplate.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They also made two gold frames and two gold seemingly-rings, and they attached the two seeming-rings to-the top corners of the container which is on the breast.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And they made two gol holders for the bases of those two stones and their two gol ring-handles, and then they sewed the ring-handles on the two corners of the cloth toward the top.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “They pound gold red two [so that] it be bored hole, sew it on corner of cloth of heart above.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They made two gold rings, and they attached them to the upper corners of the sacred pouch.” (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 .