fine leather

The Hebrew that is translated as “fine leather” or “badger/porpoise skin” in English is translated in Kutu as ng’hwembe ya mhala or “skins of bushbuck” (for bushbuck, see here ). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Yao, it is translated as “soft leather of a big sea animal.” (Source: UBS, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

The English Jewish Orthodox ArtScroll Tanakh translation (publ. 2011) transliterates it as tachash-hide. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also fine leather.

tabernacle (noun)

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “tabernacle” in English is translated in San Blas Kuna as “house of prayer that can be carried.” (Source: Ronald Ross)

In Bandi it is translated as “holy sitting place.” The “sitting place for the Bandi is where you live.” Therefore the tabernacle is the place where God lived. (Source: Becky Grossmann in this newsletter )

In Vidunda it is translated as “God’s tent” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Tibetan as gur mchog (གུར་​མཆོག) or “perfect tent” (source: gSungrab website )

In American Sign Language it is translated with with a sign for “tent” combined with a sign referring to the outer court surrounding the tent (see Exodus 27:9 and following). (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Tabernacle” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

See also tabernacle (verb) / dwell, festival of Tabernacles and ark of the covenant.

Translation commentary on Numbers 4:25 - 4:26

They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle: The Hebrew word for curtains always refers to tent fabric, or material used in making tents. The curtains of the tabernacle refers to the linen cloth strips and the goat hair cloth strips that formed the inner coverings of the Tabernacle (see Exo 26.1-13; 36.8-18). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh calls them “the cloths of the Tabernacle,” and Good News Translation has “its inner cover.”

The tent of meeting with its covering: See the comments on 3.25. This covering was made of tanned rams’ skins, and was placed over the inner cloth strips (see Exo 26.14; 36.19). Good News Translation says “its outer cover.”

The covering of goatskin that is on top of it refers to the fine leather cover on top of the tanned rams’ skins (see Exo 26.14; 36.19). For goatskin see the comments on verse 6. Good News Translation says “the fine leather cover on top of it.” This covering is not mentioned in 3.25. Contemporary English Version avoids confusion by combining this covering with the previous one, saying “its [the Tent of Meeting’s] two outer coverings.” Contemporary English Version also has a footnote, referring to Exo 26.14, where these two coverings are mentioned for the first time (see A Handbook on Numbers at Exo 26.14).

The screen for the door of the tent of meeting refers to the curtain that covered the entrance to the Tabernacle (see 3.25).

The hangings of the court refers to the curtains that formed a fence around the Tabernacle and its courtyard (see 3.26).

The screen for the entrance of the gate of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar refers to the curtain that covered the entrance to the Tabernacle’s courtyard (see 3.26). The idea of gate is not mentioned in 3.26, but it should be included here.

Their cords refers to the ropes that held the Tabernacle’s coverings and curtains in place (see 3.26).

All the equipment for their service refers to all the items used in connection with the objects mentioned in verses 25-26. Good News Translation renders this phrase as “all the fittings used in setting up these objects.” New International Version is more concise with “all the equipment used in its [the Tabernacle’s] service,” and so is New Afrikaans Version with “all the necessary equipment.”

And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them renders a general conclusion in Hebrew (after the more specific listing that precedes). This clause may be rendered “The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things” (similarly Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .