complete verse (Numbers 11:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 11:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “So that place was named Taberah because that was where the fire of God was burning them.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Being like that, the name of the place became Taberah. For fire of the LORD had burned among them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So that place was-named Taberah, for the LORD sent fire among them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they called that place Taberah, which means ‘burning’, because the fire from Yahweh had burned among them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 11:3

So the name of that place was called Taberah is literally “And he [someone] called the name of that place Taberah.” Languages that do not use passive verbs may prefer a more literal rendering here. The footnote in Revised Standard Version gives the meaning of the name Taberah, which is “burning.” We recommend that translators include this meaning in a footnote or within the translation itself (so Bijbel in Gewone Taal with “Taberah: Burning”). In Hebrew Taberah is related to a root meaning “to burn, consume, scorch.”

Because the fire of the LORD burned among them gives the reason why the place was called Taberah (see verse 1). This place name became a memory of the LORD’s punishment for the people’s rebellion as well as a warning to the people not to repeat their offense (which they did anyway).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .