Moses said to the LORD: In his anger and frustration Moses complains to the LORD in verses 11-15. Revised Standard Version uses archaic verbs and pronouns in these verses (for example, hast thou and thou dost). It uses such language when biblical characters speak directly to God in prayer. However, this archaic language should not be imitated in other languages since it reflects nothing in the Hebrew. New Revised Standard Version does not use it here.

Why hast thou dealt ill with thy servant? is a rhetorical question. Moses asks several such questions here to express his urgent but bitter complaint to God. There is also an ironic tone to his words. Translators should try to duplicate his strong feelings and overall rebellious attitude, if not by rhetorical questions, then by some other appropriate literary devices in their language. Even though Moses is angry and very frustrated, he remains respectful to the LORD by referring to himself indirectly as thy servant. Good News Translation omits this indirect reference to Moses by saying simply “me.” In some languages such a rendering may be needed, but it leaves out Moses’ expression of respect when speaking to the LORD. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and Chewa say “me, your servant,” which is a better model. For this whole question New Living Translation has “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly?”

And why have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou dost lay the burden of all this people upon me?: Good News Translation divides this rhetorical question into two, which other languages may find helpful. Why have I not found favor in thy sight is a figurative expression that means “why don’t you treat me with kindness.” New Living Translation renders it as a strong statement, saying “Have mercy on me!” Burden renders the Hebrew word massaʾ more clearly than “responsibility” (Good News Translation; see 4.15). Moses had not wanted the leadership of the Israelites (Exo 4.10, 13) and never ceased to see it as a burden, especially at times like this when the people themselves made life difficult for him. For the last half of this question the New International Reader’s Version (New International Readers Version) has “Why have you loaded me down with the troubles of all these people?”

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 .