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 30:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 30:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “That is where Aaron and his sons will be washing their hands and feet.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and feet in it.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This is what Aaron and his children/(sons) are-to-use to wash their hands and feet,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Aron and his male children must wash their hands and their feet with that water.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Therefore, Aaron and his male children, that is what they wash foot with hand there.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Aaron and his sons must ritually wash their hands and their feet with this water” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 30:19 - 30:20

The verse begins with the usual conjunction waw. [And] Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet uses the same word for wash, which suggests pouring the water. With which comes at the end of the clause in the Hebrew and may also be translated “from it.”

When they go into the tent of meeting is literally “in their entering the ʾohel moʿed.” Here it means, as Good News Translation puts it, “before they go into the Tent.” Or when they come near the altar is literally “or in their approaching [or, stepping up to] the altar.” This refers to the outside altar for animal sacrifice. To minister means to serve, or to wait on. This is the same word used in 28.35. (See the comment there.)

To burn an offering is literally “to cause to go up in smoke.” (See 29.13.) By fire to the LORD, literally “a fire-gift to Yahweh,” is the problematic word discussed at 29.18. They shall wash with water is literally “they shall pour water.” The same expression is used in 29.4, where Moses is to “wash” Aaron and his sons in the ritual of consecration. (See the comment there.) Lest they die is literally “and they will not die.” This suggests the danger of attending to holy things without first becoming ceremonially clean. Good News Translation puts it more strongly: “then they will not be killed.” One may also say “then the holiness [or, taboo] will not kill them.”

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 .