complete verse (Exodus 39:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 39:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “That ceremonial cloth was made/sewn and divided into two and (it) had two straps hanging over the shoulders and tightened to join the two.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then they joined two shoulder pieces for fastening it at both shoulders.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This clothing has two parts, back and front, and it was-attached to two straps of the shoulder.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And above that cloth for Aron’s trunk, they sewed two cords for his shoulders, to be for tying.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And they make for it hand two which go front waistline, go arrive lower back, in order that cloth of thigh with cloth of back, [so that] it meet.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “The apron had two shoulder straps, to join the front part to the back part at the shoulders.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 39:4 - 39:5

Verse 4 is similar to 28.7, with a few changes. They made for the ephod shoulder-pieces is literally “shoulders they made for it, joined.” Good News Translation has “two shoulder straps,” transferring the “two” from its two edges. Joined to it at its two edges is literally “upon two of its edges it was joined.” Good News Translation has “and attached it to its sides,” assuming that the word for edges means “sides.” (See the comment at 28.7.)

Verse 5 is almost identical with 28.8. The verb was, of course, replaces “shall be.” Materials and workmanship are changed from “workmanship and materials” because of the change in word order. The only other difference is the addition of the formula as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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 .