complete verse (Exodus 40:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 40:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Also bring his sons and robe/clothe them with their tunics,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Bringing his sons dress them with tunics,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Bring also his sons and put-on/clothe/dress them their inner clothes.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then bring his male children and then decorate them with their siots for offering.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “you (sing., imp.) also take his male children, dress them clothes,” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Also bring his sons there. Put their sacred tunics/gowns on them” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 40:14 - 40:15

You shall bring his sons also, literally “And his sons you [singular] shall cause to draw near,” uses the same verb as verse 12. And put coats on them, literally “and you shall clothe them with tunics,” uses the same verb as verse 13. These are the coats mentioned in 39.27. (See the comment at 28.4.)

And anoint them, literally “and you shall anoint them,” still depends on You shall in verse 14. As you anointed their father is quite literal, but it should be clear in translation that this is still part of Yahweh’s instructions, and Aaron has not yet been anointed. This may be understood in the sense of the English future perfect, “just as you will have anointed their father,” or one may say “and ordain them in the same way as you will ordain their father.” Durham has “you are to anoint them as you shall have anointed their father.” Contemporary English Version simply has “and ordain them in the same way.” That they may serve me as priests is literally “and they will priest to [or, for] me.” (See the comment at verse 13 above.)

And their anointing shall admit them is literally “and their anointing shall become to be for them.” The idea of shall admit them, which New Revised Standard Version retains, suggests that their ordination is an initiation. To a perpetual priesthood is literally “for a priesthood of long time.” Throughout their generations is literally “to [or, for] their generations.” After all this has been put together, it may be stated in different ways: “This anointing will make them priests for all time to come” (Good News Translation); “Their anointing is to authorize them for priestly ministry down through their generations in perpetuity” (Durham); “This anointing will confer an everlasting priesthood on them for all their generations to come” (New Jerusalem Bible); “Their anointing inaugurates a hereditary priesthood for all time” (Revised English Bible); “so that they and their descendants will always be my priests” (Contemporary English Version). Contemporary English Version will be the easiest to follow in many languages.

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 .