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 .

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

Translation commentary on 1 Esdras 9:23

And of the Levites: Jozabad and Shimei and Kelaiah, who was Kelita, and Pethahiah and Judah and Jonah: The Levites were the second category of Jewish men who had to send their foreign wives away. For Levites see the comments on 1 Esd 1.3. A number of names in the list are repeated several times and are common names in Ezra and Nehemiah. In this verse one person who can be identified is Jozabad. His name is also found in the parallel passage of Ezra 10.23, in Ezra 8.33, where he was one of the Levites who received the gifts for the Temple from Ezra, in Neh 8.7 as one of the Levites who helped explain the Law, and in Neh 11.16 as one of the leaders of the Levites supervising the work on the outside of the Temple. Also in this verse is Kelaiah, who is mentioned in the parallel passage of Ezra 10.23 and in Neh 8.7 and 10.10 by his nickname Kelita, which means “cripple” or “dwarf.” Good News Bible places the nickname in parentheses to show that while this is part of the text, it is an editorial comment or explanation. Translators should do here as they have done elsewhere to indicate editorial comments in the text. An alternative model for this verse is:

• Among the Levites were Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Jonah.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.