3:3a
and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and indicates the next event in the story.
commanded the people: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:
they told the people
3:3b
When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ark refers to a “box” or a “chest.”
The ark of the covenant was a box made of acacia wood and covered with gold (see Exodus 25:10-22). Inside the box were the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. It also contained a pot of manna and Aaron’s walking stick. On top of it were two gold winged creatures called “cherubim.” The box reminded the Israelites of the covenant that Yahweh made with them. It was a sign that Yahweh promised to be with them. When you translate this term, choose a short phrase that describes the box or explains its purpose.
If you have translated the New Testament, see how you translated ark of the covenant in Hebrews 9:4 or Revelation 11:19.
Here are some ways to translate this term:
covenant box
-or-
holy chest
-or-
box of God’s covenant
-or-
golden box
the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: Here is another way to translate this phrase:
the covenant box which shows that Yahweh your God is with you
covenant: A covenant is a formal agreement between two groups of people. God made a covenant with the people of Israel in which God and the people promised to be faithful to each other. See Genesis 17:1-21.
Here are some other ways to translate this term:
agreement
-or-
promise
of the LORD your God: The phrase the LORD your God was used in Joshua 1:9c. See how you translated the phrase in that verse.
your God: Joshua was one of the Israelite people. In some languages it may be more natural to say:
Yahweh our God
being carried by the Levitical priests: Four priests worked together to carry the covenant box on poles that rested on their shoulders. If your language has several verbs for “carry” you should choose an appropriate one.
Here is another way to translate this clause:
which the Levitical priests carried ⌊on poles over their shoulders⌋
Levitical priests: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Levitical priests is literally “the priests, the Levites.” The priests were descendants of Levi and belonged to the tribe of Levi. All the priests were Levites.
Here are some other ways to translate this term:
the priests, the Levites
-or-
the priests of the Levi tribe
If this implies that there are some priests who are not of the Levi tribe, it is possible to say “the priests” and put a literal translation in a footnote.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
When you see the covenant box of Yahweh your God that the priests of the Levi tribe are carrying
-or-
You will see the Levites, the priests, carrying the golden box of Yahweh your God
priests: The priests were people who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. You should translate this term in the same way as in the New Testament. See, for example, Mark 1:44.
3:3c
The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “then” indicates the next thing that the Israelites must do.
you are to set out from your positions: The clause you are to set out from your positions is a command. The officers told the people to leave the place where they were camping, and to start walking.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
leave the place where you are camped
and follow it: The pronoun it refers to the covenant box.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
and go behind the covenant box
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
Then you must start to walk from your camp and go behind it
-or-
Then you should leave your camping place and follow the covenant box
General Comment on 3:3b-c
The Hebrew sentence gives prominence to the covenant box, not to the priests. The people were told to follow the covenant box. If possible, translate this sentence in a way that gives prominence to the covenant box. For example:
When you see the covenant box and the priests who are carrying it, then you should follow the covenant box
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