This is the penultimate verse in this series of translations.
I have split the verse in twain for ease of translation, but it will only take up a single letter.
Part 1:
KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole:
NJB: and Yahweh replied, ‘Make a fiery serpent and raise it as a standard.
Yidiñ: Yaawa wuyubaadyiñu, “Balga burri wurru, wiraa wurruu dyarra.
Yahweh replied = Yaawa wuyubaadyiñu
make a fiery serpent = Balga burri wurru
and set it upon a pole = dyarra wiraa wurruu
dyarra is the Imperative Conjugation of the Verb dyarral, which means put standing, set up, erect, assign (a name) and even rain.
wiraa is the Locative Case Declension of wira.
This is a Noun Classifier, which means moveable object in general.
wurruu is the Locative Case Declension of the Noun wurru, which means spear handle.
(There does exist the Classifier gala, which refers to spears in particular. I prefer wira because of the rhotic sibilance.)
Part 2:
KJV: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
NJB: Anyone who is bitten and looks at it will survive.’
Yidiñ: Badyaalñum wawalñunda ŋadya dyanaŋ.”
anyone = -
Yidiñ has several words that could fulfil this role.
In the end, I chose to omit it altogether.
I wanted to keep this sentence relatively simple. The next verse – the final in my series on Numbers (at least for now) – will be difficult enough.
who is bitten = badyaalñum
This has two components:
1. badyal = a Verb meaning bite.
2. -ñum = the Causal Subordinate Suffix.
The Causative Subordinate refers to something that took place prior to the main event.
and looks at it = wawalñunda
This has two components:
1. wawal = a Verb meaning see.
2. -ñunda = the Dative Subordinate Suffix.
The Dative Subordinate Suffix refers to something that takes place at the same time as the main event.
will survive = ŋadya dyanaŋ
ŋadya is the Yidiñ word for tomorrow.
dyanaŋ is the Future/Present Tense Conjugation of the Verb dyanan, which means stand.
This is the main event – those who are bitten and look at the snake upon a pole will still be standing the next day.
In addition, ŋadya can sometimes act as a Particle meaning might be, although this is uncertain.
At this point in the Narrative, the Israelites remain uncertain about their future, so it would be appropriate in that sense.
Numbers 21:8
KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
NJB: and Yahweh replied, ‘Make a fiery serpent and raise it as a standard. Anyone who is bitten and looks at it will survive.’
Yidiñ: Yaawa wuyubaadyiñu, “Balga burri wurru, wiraa wurruu dyarra. Badyaalñum wawalñunda ŋadya dyanaŋ.”