drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

complete verse (Numbers 33:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 33:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “The next (place) was where it is called Rephidim where there was no water that it was possible to drink.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They went from Alush and camped in Rephidim, there was no water there for the people to drink.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From Alush, they camped at Refidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then they/we left Alush and went and set up their/our tents at Rephidim, where they/we had no water to drink.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 33:12 - 33:14

The locations of Dophkah and Alush are unknown. These places are only mentioned here in the Bible.

And encamped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink: Compare Exo 17.1. The exact location of Rephidim is unknown, but it was probably near Mount Sinai (see Exo 19.2). It was probably a wilderness oasis where water was usually found, but for some reason the Israelites could not get water there. Instead of the people, Good News Translation says simply “them” for naturalness.

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 .