Him: that is, the family of Aaron, as Exo 28.1-4 makes clear. Bible en français courant says “Aaron” here but not in verse 27.
Tribes: cultures have different ways of dividing the units within ethnic groups. In some cultures there are basically three: (1) the nuclear family, (2) the extended family, which is often called a “clan,” and (3) the tribe or nation as a whole. Though English translations typically refer to the twelve “tribes” of Israel, in some cultures it will be more accurate to speak of the twelve “clans,” since all twelve groups spoke the same language. A more detailed discussion may be found in Mojola, 1989.
The duties of a priest are at least partially defined in this verse. See the comments on this word at verse 11 and 1.9.
To go up to my altar: that is, “to ascend My altar” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) by climbing steps. See Lev 9.22, which says that Aaron “came down” from offering sacrifices. But in some languages it may be more natural to say “approach my altar.” The translation of the word altar sometimes presents special difficulties to translators. The Hebrew word translated altar comes from a verb meaning “to slaughter.” But the noun eventually came to be used of places where any kind of sacrifice was offered to God. Here the reference is almost certainly to the altar of sacrifice and not to the altar of incense. In some languages the word altar has to be rendered by a descriptive phrase such as “the table where people burn sacrifices for God” or “the place where offerings are given to God.” In view of the presence of the first person singular pronoun in this context, translators may consider “go to the place where they offer me sacrifices.”
To wear an ephod before me: Revised English Bible says “to carry the ephod before me.” Though the Hebrew noun ephod is indefinite as in Revised Standard Version, in some languages a definite article will be used. A note in New Jerusalem Bible states that the ephod here is “not a garment as elsewhere, but a holder for the sacred lot.” The verb rendered to wear is literally “to lift” or “to raise up.” The verb will be rendered “to carry” or “to wear,” depending on how translators understand what the ephod refers to here (see the comments on verse 18). Though either interpretation is possible, “to wear” seems more probable here.
And I gave … all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel: a literal translation of these words may be difficult to understand. My offerings, that is, offerings that the people make to God.
Offerings by fire: these words translate a single word in Hebrew. The regulations that state which part of the burnt offerings the priests may take are given at various points in the Old Testament (see Lev 1.9; 2.3, 10; 7.31-36; Num 18.8). Though normally rendered “offerings by fire,” there is some doubt about the exact meaning of this word. In Lev 1.9 this term stands in apposition with “a whole burnt offering.” Here Revised English Bible says “food-offerings,” which is similar to Good News Translation, “food offered.” New Century Version provides a model in which the specific kind of offering is left unstated: “I also let the family of your ancestor have part of all the offerings sacrificed by the Israelites.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .