distance (long / wide / high)

The concepts of distance that are translated in English with “long,” “wide,” and “high/tall” are translated in Kwere with one word: utali. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Ezekiel 40:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 40:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then he led me to gate house at the north side and measured both its width and length.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the man measured the length and width of the way in the north. This way is-going-towards the outer courtyard.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then he measured how long and how wide was the entryway that was on the north side, the entrance into the outer courtyard of the temple.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 40:20

And behold, there was a gate which faced toward the north, belonging to the outer court: A word for behold is not in the Hebrew text. Revised Standard Version adds it to make the description here more vivid. A gate which faced toward the north, belonging to the outer court refers to the north gatehouse of the Temple’s outer courtyard. For gate see Ezek 40.3; for the outer court, see verse 17.

He measured its length and its breadth: Next Ezekiel’s guide measured the length and width of the north gatehouse.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .