OET interlinear NUM 14:14

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וְ⁠אָמְר֗וּ

and,they_will_say

The implication is that they will tell others about what Yahweh had done to Israel. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and they shall tell what you did]

Note 2 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

אֶל־יוֹשֵׁב֮

to/towards inhabitants_of

In this verse, the word one dwelling is singular in form, but it refers to all inhabitants of Canaan as a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the plural form of “one dwelling.” Alternate translation: [to the ones dwelling]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

אֲשֶׁר־עַ֨יִן בְּ⁠עַ֜יִן נִרְאָ֣ה ׀ אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֗ה

which/who eye in,eye he/it_appeared you(ms) YHWH

Moses is using the expression eye in eye as a common expression of his culture to mean “face to face” or “directly.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who appears face to face, you, Yahweh] or [who appears so that they can see you plainly, Yahweh]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

וַ⁠עֲנָֽנְ⁠ךָ֙ עֹמֵ֣ד עֲלֵ⁠הֶ֔ם

and,cloud_of,your stands over,them

Here Moses is speaking of the cloud as if it were a living thing that could stand over people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar figures of speech in Numbers 9:17–19. Alternate translation: [and you have your cloud hover over them]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמֻּ֣ד עָנָ֗ן & וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֥וּד אֵ֖שׁ

and,in,a_pillar_of cloud & and,in,a_pillar_of fire

Moses is using the possessive form to describe a cloud that looks like a pillar and fire that looks like a pillar. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and in a cloud in the shape of a pillar … and in fire in the shape of a pillar]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אַתָּ֨ה הֹלֵ֤ךְ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶם֙

you(ms) go before,,them

Here, Moses is speaking of Yahweh as if he were going before the people to show them the way. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you are guiding]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶם֙

before,,them

Here, to their face represents being in front of the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [before them]