fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Exodus 30:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 30:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “And/But anyone who tries to make another like this one or uses it to anoint any other person who is not a priest, he must be chased away from his people.’ ’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If any person makes like this fragrant oil or put on the body who is not a priest must be cut off to him from the midst of his people.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Whoever makes (something) like this or uses this on anyone who is not a priest, you (plur.) should- not -consider a-part-of you (plur.).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “If anyone makes an oil similar like this, or if someone pours it onto non-priestly (lit. nothing) people, you (pl.) must dissociate with him so that he goes far from the families of your people.’ ’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “one who will make oil who be equal with it or which will anoint other people it, they will be divided with his people.› »” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “I will consider that anyone who makes ointment like this for any other purpose, and anyone who puts any of this ointment on someone who is not a priest, no longer be allowed to associate with my people.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 30:33

Whoever compounds any like it is literally “A man who mixes like it.” The same verb is used in verse 25 with the associated meaning of mixing perfume, so New International Version has “Whoever makes perfume like it” (similarly New American Bible and Revised English Bible). The text, however, focuses on its use as anointing oil, not as a perfume. Or whoever puts any of it on an outsider is literally “and [a man] who puts from it upon a strange [person].” For outsider see the comment at 29.33. New International Version has “on anyone other than a priest,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “on a layman.”

Shall be cut off from his people is quite literal. The word for cut off is a strong word, with the meaning of “ostracized” (Durham), or “outlawed” (Translator’s Old Testament, New Jerusalem Bible). From his people may be understood as “from his father’s kin” (Revised English Bible), or simply as “from the people” (New Revised Standard Version). Good News Translation correctly interprets it to refer to the Israelites in general, and changes the pronoun: “will no longer be considered one of my people,” meaning Yahweh’s people. In languages that do not use the passive voice, one may say “I [Yahweh] will no longer consider that person one of my people.”

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 .