OET interlinear NUM 16:34

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וְ⁠כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

and=all Yisrael

Here, all Israel represents each member of the Israelite community. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [And each Israelite]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

לְ⁠קֹלָ֑⁠ם

to,voice_of,their

The implication is that the Israelites fled because they heard the screams of those who were falling into the opening in the ground. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [because of their yells as they fell] or [when they heard them shouting as they fell]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לְ⁠קֹלָ֑⁠ם

to,voice_of,their

Here, to their voice represents the sounds they made when the ground opened and swallowed them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [to the sounds they made]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

כִּ֣י אָֽמְר֔וּ

that/for/because/then/when said

The word translated as for indicates that what follows is a reason for what came before. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: [and here is why: they said]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

פֶּן־תִּבְלָעֵ֖⁠נוּ הָ⁠אָֽרֶץ

lest it,should_swallow_us the=earth/land

The implication is that the Israelites would die if they did not run away. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [If we do not flee, the earth will swallow us]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

תִּבְלָעֵ֖⁠נוּ הָ⁠אָֽרֶץ

it,should_swallow_us the=earth/land

The author is speaking of the earth as if it were a living thing that could swallow people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar clause in [verse 30](../16/30.md). Alternate translation: [the earth engulf them]