complete verse (Exodus 25:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 25:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “Let someone make acacia poles so that those poles can be entered into the rings and let someone cover (them) with gold” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then make 2 poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then [you (sing.)] have-someone(s)-make poles from acacia and have-it-covered with gold.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then take two long [pieces of] akas wood and then plane them well to be for carrying poles. Enwrap those two carrying poles with wide pieces of gol.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And you chop white-acacia two for its carry-wood, apply it with gold red.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They must make two poles from acacia wood, and they must cover them with gold.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

acacia

The plural form of shittah (shittim) is used sometimes as a place name (see Shittim), which is evidence of the wide distribution of this tree in Sinai and southern Palestine. The acacia referred to in the Bible was of two kinds, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia Acacia tortilis and the Common Acacia Acacia raddiana.

The Acacia tortilis is found in the hot Arabah Valley, whereas the Acacia raddiana tends to be found in cooler conditions throughout Sinai. A third variety (Acacia albida) is found in lowland Israel, the Sharon Plain, and lower Galilee. The common acacia was the only tree available to the Israelites for construction of the Tabernacle.

Both types of acacia are short, reaching 3-5 meters (10-17 feet) tall, but having a wide crown. As members of the Mimosa family, they have sharp spines, finely divided leaves, and tiny pale yellow flowers arranged in drooping bunches. The bean pod they produce is twisted and looped when dry.

Since the acacia is widespread in dry areas of Africa, Arabia, India and Australia, translators in those areas should be able to use a local word. In such languages a local species should be used, especially one that is used for building. Elsewhere, if none of these is available, the translator can transliterate from Hebrew (shittah) or from a major language, for example, sunt or talh (Arabic), akasiya (English/French/Spanish via Latin). West African translators need to beware of confusing “acacia” and “cassia,” a common tree with yellow flowers.

Acacia raddiana, photo by Ray Pritz
Acacia flowers, photo by Gloria Suesss

Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 25:13 - 25:15

You shall make poles uses the singular You. The poles were long rounded shafts of acacia wood (see verse 10) that may have been eight or nine feet in length. Only two poles were needed, and Contemporary English Version specifies this with “Make two poles of acacia wood.” Overlay them with gold is literally “you [singular] shall lay gold over them.” (See verse 11.)

And you shall put the poles into the rings means that one pole was to be inserted through the two rings on each side of the ark. To carry the ark by them is literally “to lift the box by them.” We may assume that the poles extended two to three feet beyond each end of the ark. Good News Translation omits this phrase but refers to the poles in verse 13 as “carrying poles.”

The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark is literally “in the rings of the box shall be the poles.” They shall not be taken from it is literally “they shall not go away from it.” This may be more clearly expressed in the passive voice, “must not be taken out” (Good News Translation). Or one may say “You shall not remove them,” or even “Don’t ever remove the poles from the rings” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .