family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

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 6:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 6:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “The sons that Merari produced were Mahli and Mushi.
    Other leaders of the clan of Levi are these:” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.
    These are the clans of the Levites written in a list according to the clans of their fathers.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The male children of Merari were Mali and Mushi.
    These were the families of the Levites that were-listed according to their ancestors:” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi.
    Here is a list of the descendants of Levi, who became leaders of their clans.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:19

This verse is almost identical to Exo 6.19.

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi: Merari was the third son of Levi (verses 1 and 16). As in the previous verse, Good News Translation does not make it clear that the children listed here are sons. The descendants of Mahli are listed in verses 29-30.

These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers: Good News Translation omits this sentence because it seems to repeat information implied in verse 16 and given in the heading for this section. However, we recommend keeping this sentence since it more likely introduces what follows. Some translations make this clear by ending it with a colon (so Revised English Bible, Menge). According to this interpretation, verses 20-29 list the clans of Levi (so Revised English Bible), whereas verses 16-19a list his sons and grandsons.

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 6:19

6:19a The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi.

Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. (Translation for Translators)
-or-

⌊Levi’s son⌋ Merari ⌊was⌋ the father of Mahli and Mushi.

6:19b These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers:

The following men were Levi’s descendants according to their family lines.
-or-
The clans of Levi are listed here.
-or-
The sons of Levi are the ancestors of the Levite clans.

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