OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 2:14

2:14a

In the temple courts: The Greek word that the BSB translates as the temple here refers to the temple courtyard. The courtyard was an open space that surrounded the temple building. It did not have any roof. See KBT Temple A.1. These traders were selling in one of the temple courtyards that was called the Court of the Gentiles. This was the place where people could go to worship God if they were not Jews. Translate it so it is clear that the traders were not in the temple building itself. For example:

In the Temple area (NLT)

In the temple courts (NIV)

He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves: The people were selling these animals and birds for sacrifices. In some languages it is more natural to tell why the animals were being sold. For example:

In the temple courts he found men selling animals and birds to be used as sacrifices.

found: The word found in this context means “saw.” It does not imply that these people were lost.

cattle: The Greek word that the BSB translates as cattle refers to both cows and bulls of all ages. Sometimes the English word “cows” is used in this general way, but it properly refers only to females. In your translation try to use a word that includes cows, bulls, and oxen, both old and young.

sheep: Sheep are animals that are raised on farms for meat and for wool. If there is no word for sheep in your language, you may need to borrow the word. If people are not familiar with sheep in your area, you may want to include a picture in your translation.

doves: The word doves refers to birds from the same family as pigeons. Jewish law said that people could use them as sacrifices to God. See, for example, Leviticus 12:6, 8. See how you translated “dove” in 1:32.

2:14b

and: The conjunction and here introduces a second thing that Jesus saw. In some languages it may be natural to start a new sentence and say:

Jesus also saw

He saw others (NCV)

money changers seated at their tables: The Greek word that the BSB translates as money changers refers to men who exchanged people’s money with Jewish money. They charged people a fee to do that. People could not use Roman coins in the temple because Roman coins had the emperor’s image on one side. It was necessary to use Jewish coins, so the money changers gave them Jewish coins in exchange for Roman coins. In your translation it should be clear that these men exchanged the coins rather than doing something to change or alter them. For example:

dealers at tables exchanging foreign money (NLT)

seated at their tables: The Greek word that the BSB translates as seated at their tables is more literally “sitting.” It is implied that the money changers were sitting in order to do their business of exchanging money. Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

sitting there (GW)

busy at their work

tables: You may want to follow the BSB here and supply a word that indicates where the money changers were sitting. Supply a word that refers to a simple wooden item where the dealers could place their money. For example:

desks

booths