Levite

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, 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 6:64)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 6:64:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, the people of Israel gave the Levites these cities together with grazing areas.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way the Israelites gave cities to the Levites together with their grazing lands.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So the Israelinhon gave to the descendants of Levi these towns and the pasturelands of these.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The leaders of Israel allotted those towns and the nearby pasturelands to the descendants of Levi.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:64

So: The Hebrew text has only the common conjunction here, but a logical connection is probably implied. Verses 64-65 are a summary statement of what the previous verses have been presenting. As in Revised Standard Version, numerous other modern English versions say “So” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version, New American Standard Bible). Another possible rendering is that of Good News Translation, which has “In this way.”

The people of Israel gave the Levites the cities with their pasture lands: The people of Israel is literally “the children of Israel,” but Revised Standard Version‘s rendering is good. This phrase may also be translated “the Israelites” (New International Version). The cities refers to the cities mentioned in the preceding verses. The parallel text in Josh 21.8 says “These cities.” Several translations here in 1 Chronicles say “these towns” (New International Version, Revised English Bible), which the context allows. For this whole verse Contemporary English Version has “So the people of Israel gave the Levites towns to live in and the pastureland around them.”

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 6:64

6:64 So the Israelites gave to the Levites these cities and their pasturelands.

Thus, the tribe of Levi received/inherited/got their own towns and the surrounding grazing land from the other tribes of Israel.
-or-
In this way, the ⌊other⌋ people of Israel gave Levi’s clan their own towns and the nearby open/uncultivated land.
-or-

⌊This is how⌋ the Levites ⌊started living in⌋ these towns and the uncultivated land around these towns.

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