And when the dew had gone up is literally “and the layer of dew went up,” but this simply means “when the dew evaporated” (Good News Translation), “dried up” (Translator’s Old Testament), or simply “had gone” (Contemporary English Version). There was on the face of the wilderness is somewhat literal, but the Hebrew also says more exactly “And behold upon the face of the wilderness.” Most translations omit “behold” here, but there is an element of surprise indicated. (See verse 10 for a similar surprise.) New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “there, over the surface of the wilderness.” This is a more poetic way of saying on the ground.

A fine, flake-like thing is describing something for which there was no name. (The name is finally given in verse 31.) Literally the Hebrew says “thin flaky.” The word for “flaky” is found only here, so the meaning is not certain. Jerusalem Bible has “powdery,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “granular.” Revised English Bible has “fine flakes” for the two words (similarly Contemporary English Version), and New Revised Standard Version has “a fine flaky substance.” Good News Translation has “something thin and flaky.” Translators should seek a term that describes a paper-thin substance of some kind.

Fine as hoarfrost uses the word “thin” again, with the usual word for “frost.” Frost is the condensed moisture, or dew, after it freezes and turns white in color. Good News Translation translates this description as “as delicate as frost.” In areas where “frost” is not known, it may be necessary to use a familiar expression like “as delicate as powder.” On the ground refers to the same thing as on the face of the wilderness.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• After the dew had gone [or, evaporated], the desert was covered with a thin flaky substance that looked like frost.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .