cattle, livestock

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “livestock” (or “cattle”) is translated in Newari as “living beings brought up in a house” or “living beings cared for in a house” (source: Newari Back Translation). Specifically “cattle” is “cows and oxen.”

In Kwere it is “animals that are being kept.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Ezra 1:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezra 1:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “All their neighbors helped/assisted in giving them things of silver and gold, things that would help/assist in the journey and animals. They also gave many gifts plus offering/sacrifices that each person was able to give freely and wholeheartedly.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “All their neighbors helped them by giving them silver pots, gold, needed goods animals and expensive things in addition to their own freewill offerings.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The other people-groups helped them by giving things-for-use made of silver, gold, things that are-needed, animals, other precious/[lit. expensive] things, and freewill help for the temple.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “All of their neighbors helped them by giving them things made of silver and things made of gold, and supplies for the journey, and livestock. They also gave them other valuable gifts, and also gave them money to buy things for building the temple.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezra 1:6

Neighbors of the returning Jews also began to respond to the edict of Cyrus with their gifts and offerings. All who were about them refers to the people among whom they lived in verse 4 above. It does not mean neighboring tribes or nations.

Aided them: The Hebrew says literally “they strengthened their hands.” The meaning here is to “help” (Good News Translation) or “assist” (New English Bible) them by giving them gifts.

The list of gifts that is given here is longer and more detailed than the list in Cyrus’s edict. Vessels of silver are mentioned here in addition to the items that were included in the list in 1.4. These are not the vessels taken from the Temple that are referred to in the next verse. In place of with vessels of silver, some versions follow the Greek text in 1 Esdras 2.6 (2.9 in Revised Standard Version) and translate “with gifts of every kind, silver” (so New English Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, Luther). In addition to gold, goods and livestock, the people gave costly wares. These were “excellent objects” or “items of much value.” New English Bible and Bible de Jérusalem also have “in abundance” after costly wares, again following the Greek text in 1 Esdras. The above items were all given in addition to all that was freely offered, that is, the freewill offerings for the Temple as suggested in the edict of Cyrus. The Hebrew text for this verse makes sense without any need to follow 1 Esdras or any other text and is supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project with a C rating.

Revised Standard Version reflects the sentence structure of the Hebrew text by presenting verses 5-6 as one sentence. In many languages it will be more natural style to break the two verses into shorter sentences as Good News Translation has done.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ezra 1:6

1:6a And all their neighbors supported them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock,

All the people living near them assisted/supported them ⌊by giving them⌋ items/objects of silver, gold, other goods, and herds/livestock.
-or-
Then everyone who lived nearby helped them ⌊by giving them⌋ vessels/utensils and animals. They also gave them things made of silver and gold,

1:6b and with valuables, in addition to all their freewill offerings.

They also gave them other costly objects and voluntary gifts ⌊to take to Jerusalem for the temple of Yahweh⌋.
-or-
along with other precious articles and any other thing they desired to give to God ⌊for the building of his house in Jerusalem⌋.

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