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 (Exodus 29:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 29:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Bring (sing.) Aaron and/with his sons to the compound of my Tent and wash (them) with a sacrificial washing.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then bringing Aaron and his sons near to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting make them take bathe.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Then bring Aaron and his children/(sons) close-to the entrance of the Meeting-Together-Place Tent, and have- them -take-a-bath.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “‘And when it’s done, then bring Aron with his male children to go stand at the opening of my shelter, and then wash them there.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Afterwards, you shall bring [this direction] Aaron and his male children door of tent, wash them [body] there with water.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Take Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Sacred Tent, and wash them ritually.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 29:4

You shall bring Aaron and his sons uses the same verb as in verse 3. To the door of the tent of meeting is literally “unto the opening of the ʾohel moʿed.” As explained at 33.7, “tent of meeting” reflects a different tradition, but the term is often used in reference to the mishkan, or tabernacle. The context is clear that this is the “entrance” of the tabernacle (Good News Translation), which was to be covered by a “screen,” not by a door. (See 26.36.)

And wash them with water is literally “and you [singular] will wash them in water.” This means that Moses was to wash Aaron and his sons. The word for wash suggests pouring, in contrast with the word for washing clothes. (See 19.10 and the comment there). The extent of this ritual washing is not indicated, but it probably included the entire body, since this was different from the later ceremonial washing performed by the priests themselves (as described in 30.17-21). Good News Translation‘s “have them take a ceremonial bath” may be misleading, as it suggests that they did the washing rather than Moses. Contemporary English Version even has “have them wash themselves,” but translators should not follow this as a model.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .