complete verse (Ezra 8:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezra 8:34:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, everything was counted and weighed and it was recorded how much the total weight was.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “All the items were counted and the weights were written at that time.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They were all counted and weighed, and listed-down.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They counted everything, and wrote down how much they weighed, and wrote a description of each item.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezra 8:34

The whole was counted and weighed: The Hebrew is elliptical in style without a verb in this first part of the verse. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation express the meaning verbally with passive verb forms, but the meaning can also be expressed with active verbs; for example, “They counted and weighed everything.”

The weight of everything was recorded: This second part of the verse expands on the first part by stating what was done with the counting and weighing. They recorded the weight of the treasure that was brought from Babylonia. At the end of this verse in MT, there is a time phrase that specifies when this took place, so some versions add “at the same time” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant), “at that time” (New King James Version , New International Version), or “then and there” (Revised English Bible). However, Revised Standard Version takes this phrase with the following verse, but this is unlikely since the punctuation in MT indicates a break at the end of this verse.

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 8:34

8:34 Everything was verified by number and weight, and the total weight was recorded at that time.

Everything was verified/checked by both number and weight, and a written/official record of all the items was made at that time.
-or-
Everything was counted and weighed, and nothing was missing. At that time, the weight of everything was written down.

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