complete verse (Jeremiah 43:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 43:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Take big stones and go and bury them there by/at the path that has been slapped/paved with bricks of clay, there by the road of the home of Pharao in Tahpanhes while the people of Judah are watching.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘While the people of Juda are-looking, [you (sing.)] take large rocks and bury on the ground, between the path going-inside the palace of the Faraon in Tapanhes.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘While the people of Judah are watching you, take some large rocks and bury them under the brick pavement at the entrance to the king’s palace there at Tahpenes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 43:9

Take in your hands large stones; that is, “Go [and] pick up some large stones” or “Take some large stones.” This is to be an acted parable, and the significance of what Jeremiah will do is clear. The stones symbolize, or may actually be the foundation of, the elevated platform on which Nebuchadnezzar would place his throne, indicating that he was now ruler of Egypt (see verse 10).

The precise meaning of the verb translated hide (Revised Standard Version) is not known; Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible render “bury” and New American Bible “sink,” while Revised English Bible has “set … in,” a rendering that actually seems best in this verse.

The word translated mortar occurs only here in the Old Testament. Some scholars take it to mean “clay” (Bright), while others render it as “cement” (Revised English Bible). Translators should use whatever word or expression would be appropriate for the mortar used to hold bricks or poles together in building. The two phrases, in the mortar and in the pavement, are probably to be taken together with the meaning of either “in the clay pavement” or “in the cement pavement.” Some Greek manuscripts and the Vulgate have the meaning of “secretly” for the first word, and so Zürcher Bibel translates “bury them secretly at the entranceway” and Moffatt “hiding them secretly under the paved court.” But, as some commentators note, this seems incorrect, since Jeremiah was to do this in the presence of witnesses. If footnotes are being included, perhaps the text here should have a note: “Hebrew unclear.”

Pharaoh’s palace: This was probably a government building of some sort, since it is not likely that the royal palace would be found in Tahpanhes. Good News Translation renders “government building” and New American Bible “royal building.” Of course, it could be a place where the Pharaoh stayed when he came there. Pharaoh is not a name but a title for the king of Egypt (see 25.19); consequently, translators can say, for example, “the royal residence” or “the royal building.”

In the sight of the men of Judah; that is, Jeremiah is to do this while some of the people of Judah are watching. Translators can even say something like “Do this in plain view of some of the people of Judah.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .