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 2:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:32:

  • Kupsabiny: “The brother to Shammai who was called Jada had two sons. One was called Peleth, and the other Jonathan. And Jether died without getting a child.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The sons of Jada the brother of Shamai were Jeter and Jonatan. Jeter died without (having) a child.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:32

Jada was the son of Onam (verse 28).

And Jether died childless: Childless is the same expression as in verse 30 and the same difference in meaning is found in the existing modern translations. Some speak more generally of there being no “children”; and others speak more specifically of the absence of “sons.” See the discussion of this problem at verse 30.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 2:32

2:32a The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan.

Shammai’s brother Jada had two sons. ⌊They were⌋ Jether and Jonathan.
-or-
Jada, who was a brother to Shammai, had two sons. ⌊They were⌋ Jether and Jonathan.

2:32b Jether died without children.

Jether died without having children.
-or-
Jether died childless.

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