Here Moses’ speech is continued from verse 5. Depending on how they have handled verses 6-7, translators may wish to show that Moses is again the speaker here; for example, “Moses spoke to the people again.”

At that time: this can refer to verses 6-7, but it seems more likely that it refers back to verses 1-5, which speak of the Covenant Box.

Set apart the tribe of Levi: for the setting apart of the people of the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, see Exo 32.25-39. The Good News Translation translation “appointed the men of the tribe…” will be a good model. For tribe see 1.13.

The Levites had three responsibilities: (1) to carry the ark of the covenant (Num 3.5-8); (2) to stand before the LORD to minister to him, that is, to “offer the prescribed sacrifices at the place of worship” or “to serve him [Yahweh] as priests” (Good News Translation); (3) to bless in his name, that is, to pray the LORD’s blessings for the people (see the priestly blessing in Num 6.22-27). In many languages to bless … may be expressed as “to ask Yahweh to be kind to his people and give them prosperity [or, cause them to be prosperous].”

Instead of the ark of the covenant, a translation may choose to imitate Good News Translation “the Covenant Box.” But a more comprehensive description may be necessary: “the Box that contained the two tablets of the covenant.”

To this day: if Moses is the speaker of verses 8-9, this may be understood to refer to the time when Moses is speaking to the Israelites. But it may refer to the time of the writing of this account. If this is correct, a footnote should be added to inform the reader (see 2.22).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .