OET interlinear EZRA 4:14

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

כְּעַ֗ן

now

As in [4:13](../04/13.md), the word now is similar to the expression “and now” found in [4:10](../04/10.md) and [4:11](../04/11.md). Here it introduces another important point within the letter. If your language has a comparable expression that it uses for this same purpose, you can use that in your translation.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

מְלַ֤ח הֵֽיכְלָ⁠א֙ מְלַ֔חְנָא

salt_of of,the_palace eat

This expression means that these officials are paid from the royal treasury. Alternate translation: [we are paid from the royal treasury]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

כָּ⁠ל־קֳבֵל֙ דִּֽי־מְלַ֤ח הֵֽיכְלָ⁠א֙ מְלַ֔חְנָא

as=to corresponding that/who salt_of of,the_palace eat

The implication is that, because these officials are paid from the royal treasury, they feel a loyalty and a sense of obligation to the king. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: [because we owe our own livelihoods to you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ⁠עַרְוַ֣ת מַלְכָּ֔⁠א לָ֥א אֲֽרִֽיךְ לַ֖⁠נָא לְ⁠מֶֽחֱזֵ֑א

and,the_dishonor_of Oh/the=king not fitting for,us to,see

The phrase to see the nakedness of the king is an idiom that means “to allow the king to be dishonored.” If your language has a similar idiom you can use that, or translate the plain meaning, as in the UST.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

עַ֨ל־דְּנָ֔ה שְׁלַ֖חְנָא וְ⁠הוֹדַ֥עְנָא לְ⁠מַלְכָּֽ⁠א

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in this/about_this send and,we_have_made_known to=the=king

The officials continue to address the king in the third person as a sign of respect. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this respect by using an expression such as “O king.” Alternate translation: [and that is why we have written to you, O king, to let you know about this]