bronze

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “bronze” in English is translated in Newari as “bell-metal,” since bells are made of bronze in Nepal (source: Newari Back Translation).

See also bronze vessel.

complete verse (Exodus 38:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 38:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “(He) made acacia (horizontal) poles and coated (them) with bronze.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They made the poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlaid with bronze.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The poles was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it was done, then he took akas wood, and then made two carrying poles and then wrapped them with wide pieces of bras.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And they chop white-acacia two for its carry-wood, applied it with metal red.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “They made the poles from acacia wood and covered them with bronze.” (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 38:6 - 38:7

These verses include the same details given in 27.6-8 with only a few changes. Verse 6 condenses what is commanded in 27.6, and of course it changes the tense of the verbs to show completed action. And he put the poles through the rings is literally “and he caused the poles to enter into the rings.” Note that it says the poles and not “its poles” as in 27.7. And here it says on the sides of the altar, not “the two sides of the altar.” To carry it with them, literally “to carry it by them,” is changed from “in carrying it” in 27.7.

He made it hollow, with boards is identical with the first part of 27.8, with the exception of the change in the verb. This probably means “he made it as a hollow wooden box” (Translator’s Old Testament), or “was shaped like an open box” (Contemporary English Version). (See the comment at 27.8.)

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 .