complete verse (Exodus 21:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 21:34:

  • Kupsabiny: “that man deserves to pay back to the owner of that animal another animal and he stays with the dead one.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the owner of the well should pay the owner of the animal, and the dead animal will- now -become his.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “the owner of the hole-trap must make payment to the owner of that animal. And that animal which died will become his.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “owner of hole he must give owner of animal money, let him carry animal which died.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the owner of the pit/cistern must pay for the animal that died. He must give the money to the animal’s owner, but then he can take away the animal that died and do whatever he wants to with it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 21:34

This is the main clause of the sentence beginning in verse 33. It is clear that the owner of the pit is the one who is responsible, whether or not he was the one who uncovered it. Good News Translation‘s use of “he” suggests incorrectly that whoever uncovers a cistern is the one responsible, whether he is the owner or not. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “the one responsible for the pit,” which means the owner of the cistern. Shall make it good uses a word meaning to pay or to make amends. New Revised Standard Version has “shall make restitution,” and Translator’s Old Testament has “shall compensate.”

He shall give money to its owner means that the owner of the pit shall “pay the money” (Good News Translation) to the owner of the dead animal. Give money is literally “he shall cause silver [money] to return.” Revised English Bible is clear: “he must pay the owner the price of the animal.” And the dead beast shall be his means that the owner of the pit “shall take possession of the dead animal” (Translator’s Old Testament).

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 .