complete verse (Exodus 4:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 4:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “Take along the staff/stick like that because that is the one you will be performing/ making wonderful things with.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You yourself take this staff and by means of it you will be able to show miraculous signs.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And take your (sing.) walking-stick/staff so-that through that you (sing.) can-perform/do miracles.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “But you must take this walking stick. Later, you will do miracles with it.’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Here!. This staff you will do sign with it thus, you take it in hand.»” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Be sure to take with you the walking/shepherd’s stick that is in your hand, because you will perform miracles with it.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 4:17

And you shall take may be understood as part of the LORD’s instruction (verse 15), so “Take this” (Good News Translation) is more natural. Take in your hand means to take along “with you,” not to receive a different rod from God. This rod may therefore be understood as the same shepherd’s staff mentioned in verse 2. The distinction in Hebrew between “this” and “that” is not as sharply defined as in languages where the precise location of the staff must be specified. Therefore in some languages the this may have to be changed to “that”; for example, “take that walking stick which you are holding.”

You shall do the signs probably means “you will perform miracles.” Since signs is plural, it must refer to more than the one “sign” in which Moses used his rod to produce a snake. But it cannot refer to the other signs in verses 6 and 9, since the rod was not used. The signs may thus be understood as the “miracles” Moses would later perform before Pharaoh. Another possible translation model for this final clause is “You will use it to perform miracles.” Signs may be alternatively rendered as “wonderful [or, powerful] acts,” “marvelous deeds that amaze people,” or even figuratively, “mouth-opening events [or, actions].” (See more examples and the comment on “wonders” at 3.20.)

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 .