I can't understand that grammar

Question

Hello.Here's the phrase from Bible:"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it."And I can't still understand its grammar at the end. Please help to make it clear.Thanks.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

You need to look at alternative translations. Here are some other versions of this text (Habakkuk 2:2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%202:2&version=NIV
Then the LORD replied:
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. "

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%202:2&version=NIRV

The Lord replies,
"Write down the message I am showing you in a vision.
Write it clearly on the tablets you use. Then a messenger can read it and run to announce it.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%202:2&version=AMP
And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.

Spinyman · Answer

thank you!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

A slightly different view from this site. http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=wes&b=35&c=2

2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Upon tables— What was of publick concern, and therefore to be published, was anciently written or engraven upon tables, smooth stones, or wood, and then hung up in a publick place to be read.

May run— That none may need to stop, but every one may plainly and clearly discern what is written.

Clive

Zhfan · Answer

Yes, but why does this sentence contain double "that" at the end.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

zhfanYes, but why does this sentence contain double "that" at the end.
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it."

Note that this is structured in the same way as the King James version, or early modern English. That is why the grammar seems rather stilted and strange to us moderns.

The first that would be "so that"

Write it plainly

that he can read it.

The second that introduces a relative clause describing a the person who is reading the tablet. In modern English, this clause would be placed after "he."

Write it plainly so that he that (who) reads it may run. ( ...so that a runner can read it.)

The contemporary translation is simply: Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance.

Spinyman · Answer

Thank you very much. I hope I won't face alike grammar in my life<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

I can't understand that grammar

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