complete verse (Nehemiah 7:70)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 7:70:

  • Kupsabiny: “Some heads of families contributed/offered things/materials which would be used for building. The king/governor of the community contributed eight and a half kilograms of gold, 50 bowls and 530 clothes for the priests.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The other leaders/[lit. heads] of the families contributed for the building again of the temple. The governor gave eight kilos which are pieces of gold, 50 bowls to be used in the temple, and 530 pieces of clothes for the priests.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Some of the leaders of the clans gave gifts for the work of rebuilding the temple. I, being the governor, gave 17 pounds/8.6 kg. of gold, 50 bowls to be used in the temple, and 530 robes for the priests.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 7:70 - 7:72

Now translates the Hebrew connective conjunction, which carries the narration forward here. Compare the comments at Ezra 2.68.

Some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work …: The information in these verses is more detailed than in Ezra 2.68-69, where only the contribution of the clan heads is listed. The phrase some of the heads of fathers’ houses occurs twice, first in verse 70 and again in verse 71. Good News Translation restructures verses 70-72 as a list, which it introduces with the general summary “Many of the people….” This can be understood as replacing the first occurrence of some of the heads of fathers’ houses. The second occurrence is rendered explicitly as “Heads of clans.” It is preferable to let the first clause stand as its own sentence, introducing these verses as Revised Standard Version has done (also Nouvelle Bible Segond, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy).

The contribution here is to the work as in Ezra 2.69 rather than “for the house of God” as in Ezra 2.68. The occurrence of the word work draws attention to the recurring theme of work and the importance of the work for Nehemiah (see Neh 2.16; 6.3).

The governor: See the comments at Ezra 2.63.

The basins referred to here are those that were used for sprinkling or for pouring, such as when blood was sprinkled during sacrifices. Good News Translation therefore refers to them as “ceremonial bowls.” Osty-Trinquet calls them “cups for aspersion” (that is, ceremonial sprinkling). Translators are advised to use a term for bowls or cups that are used for religious purposes in the receptor culture. If no appropriate term is available, a general term may be used as Revised Standard Version has done.

Five hundred and thirty priests’ garments: The Hebrew text has literally “thirty priests’ garments and five hundred.” In Hebrew the five hundred cannot go with the thirty, but the two numbers are generally translated together in modern translations (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Nouvelle version Segond révisée). “Minas of silver” in the parallel passage in Ezra 2.69 has been omitted here. With a B rating, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends that the Hebrew be translated literally with an explanation in a note that “a comparison of this verse with the two following verses and with the summary in Ezra 2.69 leads to the interpretation of the last figure as being the number of minas of silver offered by Nehemiah.” This Handbook recommends that “minas of silver” be included in the translation so that it would read “thirty priestly robes and five hundred minas of silver.” A footnote in New Jerusalem Bible says 7.72–8.1 has been restored to be parallel to Ezra 2.70–3.1, and translators will find such a footnote helpful.

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