orphan

The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated as “orphan” in English is translated in Enlhet as “those who are gone past” (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. ) and in Newari as “ones not having mother-father” (source: Newari Back Translation).

E.L. Greenstein (2019, p. 108) notes that, particularly in reference to Job 24:9 where the child is being nursed, that the Hebrew term “has the narrower meaning of “fatherless.”

See also orphaned.

widow

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “widow” in English is translated in West Kewa as ona wasa or “woman shadow” (source: Karl J. Franklin in Notes on Translation 70/1978, pp. 13ff.) and in Newari as “husband already died ones” or “ones who have no husband” (source: Newari Back Translation).

The etymological meaning of the Hebrew almanah (אַלְמָנָה) is likely “pain, ache,” the Greek chéra (χήρα) is likely “to leave behind,” “abandon,” and the English widow (as well as related terms in languages such as Dutch, German, Sanskrit, Welsh, or Persian) is “to separate,” “divide” (source: Wiktionary).

See also widows.

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 (Deuteronomy 16:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 16:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall eat/celebrate that festival with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, Levites, foreigners, orphans/poor and widows.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You, your sons and daughters, servants and maids, and the descendants of Levi living in your city, the foreigners, the children that have no father or mother, and the women whose husbands have died, are all to celebrate rejoicing at the time of the festival.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) rejoice in your (plur.) celebrating this feast with your (plur.) children, servants, Levites, not Israelinhon, orphans, and widows who live in your (plur.) town.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Each married couple along with their children, their servants, the descendants of Levi who are in that town, and the foreigners, orphans, and widows who are living among you, should be joyful in the presence of Yahweh.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 16:14

The list of those who are to be included in the joyful celebration is the same as in verse 11.

Here the verse ends with who are within your towns, whereas in verse 11 it is who are among you; the slight difference should be respected in translation.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .