complete verse (Exodus 28:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 28:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that someone fix those chains into the rings.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Tie these two gold chains to both gold rings at the breastplate.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Fasten/Attach the two gold things-like-chains to the-things-like-rings of the like-pocket(s) which is on the chest,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then attach the two gol cords into those two ring-handles.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “That is where they will bind chain on it.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “He must make two gold cords, and fasten one end of each cord to one of the rings.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 28:24 - 28:25

And you shall put is the same word as in verse 23. It is not clear whether it means to put … in or to “fasten … to” (Good News Translation), whether the cords are to be slipped through the rings or tied to them in some way. The two cords of gold refers to “the two gold cords” (Good News Translation) of verse 22, which may be the same “two chains” of verse 14. The two rings at the edges of the breastpiece are described in verse 23. In the two rings is literally “on the two rings”; it does not indicate how the cords are to be attached. Translators should probably keep this information implicit.

The two ends of the two cords uses the same word for end that is used for the edges of the breastpiece. (See also verse 24.) Since each of the two cords had two ends, it is not clear whether this refers to the four ends of both cords or whether it means “the other two ends” (Good News Translation). This depends on whether the cords are to be tied to the two rings or simply passed through them. Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version allow for the latter interpretation, but most translations favor the former.

You shall attach to the two settings of filigree is literally “you [singular] will put upon the two settings.” Of filigree is only implied from the word for settings, as explained at verse 11. Here Revised Standard Version understandably translates “put” as attach, even though it has put for the two rings in verse 24.

The two settings refers to those mentioned in verse 13, which were already attached to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.

And so attach it in front to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod is literally “and you [singular] shall put [it? them?] upon the shoulders of the ephod unto the front of its face.” This suggests that the settings (verse 13) were already fastened to the “shoulder straps” (Good News Translation) at the front. The it is not specified in the Hebrew, so it can refer either to the breastpiece or to the two ends of the two cords. Good News Translation has “attach them,” which is the interpretation of most translations. Revised English Bible has “thus binding the breastpiece to the shoulder-pieces.”

If translators feel that the two braided gold chains are the same ones as in verse 14, and this is very likely, it is possible to reorder the clauses in 22-25 and restructure as follows:

• Have them make two gold rings and attach them to the upper front edges [or, corners] of the breastpiece and fasten them with two braided gold chains to the gold settings on the shoulder straps of the ephod.

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 .