horns

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “horns (of the altar)” is translated in the French common language editions (1997 and 2019) as angles relevés or “raised angles” and in the Parole de Vie of 2017 as coins relevés or “raised corners.”

In the Arabic TMA translation it is translated as hayth tjllyat Allah (حيث تجلّيات الله) or “where God’s manifestation are” and in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “corners (of the altar).” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

complete verse (Exodus 30:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 30:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “The upper/top side, all the four sides and those things like horns should be coated with pure gold and a rim of gold should be stuck/attached going round the edges.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Overlay with pure gold on its top, all around and horns. Then make a gold molding around it.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] have- its top -covered with pure gold, the four sides, and the things-like-horns on the corners. And put- a gold -strip/molding around it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then take wide pieces of good gol, and then enwrap the four sides of the table, and its top, and its horns. And affix a long gol thing to be for the fastening-band which surrounds it.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “They must apply its head, and its side, and its horn, with gold red, and its tooth, they must add gold red there.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They must cover the top and the four sides, including the projections, with pure gold. Put a gold border around the altar, near the top.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 30:3

And you shall overlay it with pure gold is identical with 25.11. Its top refers to the flat surface for the top side of the altar. The Hebrew word is used for the flat roof of a building. (Fox even translates “roof” here.) The altar for the animal sacrifice evidently did not have this kind of top but had a grating instead. And its sides round about may be understood as “all four sides” (Good News Translation). The horns are discussed at verse 2.

And you shall make for it still uses the singular you. A molding of gold is the same term used for the Covenant Box (25.11) and the Table (25.24). It was evidently a decorative “gold border” (Good News Translation) close to the top and extending around the sides of the altar. Round about is the same word used in 25.11.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• Use pure gold and cover its top, all four sides, and the projections sticking up at the corners that look like bull’s horns. Also put a gold edging around it.

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 .