Levite

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” and in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Levite” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

For the sign in Spanish Sign Language, see Levi.

More information about Levites .

complete verse (1 Chronicles 15:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 15:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “The leaders of the singers who were chosen were Heman son of Joel, Asaph son of Berekiah, and Ethan son of Kushaiah who was from the house of Merari.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the Levites chose Heman son of Joel and from among his elder and younger brothers, Asaph son of Berekiah, and from among his elder and younger brothers, Ethan son of Kushaiah from the Merarites.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So the Levites chose Heman the child of Joel, Asaf the child of Berekia, and Etam the child of Kushaya a descendant of Merari.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they appointed Heman and his relatives Asaph and Ethan. Heman was the son of Joel; Asaph was the son of Berekiah. Ethan, a descendant of Merari, was Kushaiah’s son.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 15:17

15:17a So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel;

So, ⌊the leaders of the descendants⌋ of Levi selected Heman the son of Joel.
-or-
Therefore, ⌊the heads of the tribe⌋ of Levi chose Heman son of Joel.

15:17b from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah;

They also selected⌋ Asaph son of Berechiah from his relatives.
-or-

They chose him together with⌋ his kinsman, Asaph son of Berechiah.

15:17c from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;

They also selected⌋ Ethan son of Kushaiah, from their ⌊other⌋ relatives, ⌊the descendants of⌋ Merari.
-or-

They also chose⌋ his ⌊other⌋ kinsman, Ethan son of Kushaiah ⌊who descended from the⌋ Merari ⌊clan⌋ .

15:17a-c (combined and re-ordered)

So ⌊the leaders of the descendants⌋ of Levi selected Heman and his relatives, Asaph and Ethan. Heman was the son of Joel. Asaph was the son of Berechiah. Ethan, a descendant of Merari, was the son of Kushaiah.
-or-
Therefore ⌊the heads of the tribe⌋ of Levi chose Heman ⌊together with⌋ Asaph and Ethan. ⌊They were other people of the tribe of Levi⌋ related to him. They chose them ⌊as musicians⌋ . Heman was the son of Joel. Asaph was the son of Berechiah. Ethan, ⌊from the clan⌋ of Merari, was the son of Kushaiah.

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