complete verse (Exodus 39:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 39:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “Two onyx stones were taken hold of and the names of the twelve sons of Jacob were engraved inside them. After that, they were fixed onto golden frames.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They took onyx stones and mounted them in gold filigree setting. They engraved the names of twelve sons of Israel artistically on those stones.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They attached the onyx stone to-the gold frame. They engraved it/them to-the names of-the sons of Jacob just-like the engraved on the seal.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And also, they took two oniks stones and then cut the names of Iakop’s twelve children onto [them]. And they took gol and then made holders for those two stones together with their good decorations.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And they take gem black two, carve it as stone-carver carves signet, write name of male children of Israel there, pound gold red for its placing-hole.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They cut two valuable onyx stones and enclosed them in a tiny gold frame, and a skilled gem-cutter engraved on the stones the names of the twelve sons of Jacob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 39:6

The onyx stones refers to the two stones mentioned in 28.9. (On the problem of whether to use onyx or “carnelians” [Good News Translation], see the comment at 28.20.) Were prepared, literally “they made,” again shifts to the passive voice. Good News Translation has “They prepared.” Enclosed in settings of gold filigree is identical with the expression in 28.11. Engraved like the engravings of a signet is literally “engraved [as] engravings of a seal.” This is also based on 28.11.

According to the names of the sons of Israel is literally “upon the names….” As in 28.9, Good News Translation translates this as “the names of the twelve sons of Jacob.” (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 .