complete verse (Exodus 30:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 30:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “They should wash their legs and hands so that they will not die. They should follow this law forever and hand it over to the grandchildren.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “whenever they enter the tent or go near the altar to burn the offering offered by fire, they must wash their hands and feet. Otherwise, they will die. This became the law forever to Aaron and his generation to come.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “before they enter the Meeting-Together-Place Tent, and before they approach/come-near the altar to offer to me offerings by-means-of fire. They must wash their hands and feet so-that they will- not -die. Aaron and his descendants must obey/follow this decree/[lit. what-is-to-be-followed] for coming generations.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “they must wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. They together with their children and descendants who will be coming forth later, they must be following this law so that it continues and goes.’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “It is necessary that they wash hand and foot so that they not (imp.) die. This, I put for them it down until forever, with generation which will come.»” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They must wash their hands and their feet, in order that they will not die. They and the males descended from them must obey this ritual throughout all generations.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 30:21

They shall wash their hands and their feet repeats the same words used in verse 20. Lest they die is identical with verse 20. This repetition is for emphasis, so Good News Translation has “They must wash their hands and feet….”

It shall be a statute for ever to them is literally “and it shall be for them an obligation of long time.” The word for statute, choq, is discussed in the introduction to 20.22-26. Them, of course, refers to Aaron and his sons. Even to him, literally “to him” (even is added), refers to Aaron. And to his descendants, literally “and to his seed,” is the same word used in 28.43. Throughout their generations, literally “to their generations,” may be understood as “in every generation” (Revised English Bible), “throughout the ages” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or simply “forever” (Good News Translation).

An alternative translation model combining verses 17-21 is the following:

• The LORD said to Moses, “Have them make a large bronze bowl and a bronze stand for it. Then put the bowl between the sacred tent and the altar for sacrificing animals. Put water in the bowl so that the priests can wash their hands and feet before they enter the tent or sacrifice an animal on the altar. They and their descendants must always wash themselves in this way. Otherwise they will die [or, be killed].”

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 .