brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), all “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

In Lama it is translated as “older or younger brother.” (Source: Neal Brinneman)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

Aaron

The name that is transliterated as “Aaron” in English means “light,” “a mountain of strength” “to be high.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Catalan Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language it is translated as “stones on chest plate” (according to Exodus 28:15-30) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Aaron” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Colombian Sign Language, Honduras Sign Language, and American Sign Language, the chest plate is outlined (in ASL it is outlined using the letter “A”):


“Aaron” in ASL (source )

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 Moses, more information on Aaron , and this lectionary in The Christian Century .

complete verse (Deuteronomy 32:50)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 32:50:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall die there on the mountain like your brother Aaron who died on the mountain of Hor.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Like your elder brother Aaron died and join his ancestors on Mount Hor, you also will die and join your ancestors on the mountain.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And in that mountain you (sing.) will-die and you (sing.) will-be-gathered/joined to your (sing.) blood-relatives who were-dead already, as Aaron your (sing.) sibling died on Mount Hor and was-gathered/joined also to his blood-relatives.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You will die on that mountain , like your older brother Aaron died on Hor Mountain.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 32:50

And die: in the context this is a command. But we may say something like “you shall die” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

On the mountain which you ascend: this will be needless repetition in some languages; in others it will be normal style.

Be gathered to your people: that is, Moses will go to Sheol, where the other dead Israelites are. This is a common way of speaking of dying; see Gen 25.3; 27.13; 35.29; Num 27.13 (and see the similar expression in 31.16). In some cultures this will be a normal way of talking about death; where it is not, this phrase should not be used. The translation should say simply “you will die.”

As Aaron your brother: for Aaron’s death see 10.6; Num 20.22-29; 33.38-39. Good News Translation is a good model for this verse.

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 .