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 27:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 27:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “And then the priests from the clan of Levi are to proclaim/announce:” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the descendants of Levi must speak loudly to all the people of Israel like this–” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Then the Levites will-shout loudly to all the Israelinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The descendants of Levi must shout these words loudly:” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 27:14

The Levites: see 12.12. These are the men from the tribe of Levi who served in the tabernacle, not the whole tribe of Levi.

All the men of Israel: the Septuagint has “all Israel,” and New Revised Standard Version translates “all the Israelites.” Contemporary English Version has “all the rest of the people,” while Good News Translation omits the phrase altogether. To be consistent with verses 11 and 12, this should refer to all the people, not just to the males.

With a loud voice: because of the distances at that location, it would have to be a very loud voice! In some languages this will be made very clear with “will shout loudly.”

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 .