family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

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 (Exodus 6:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 6:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “And the men who are the descendants of Merari are Mahli and Mushi. These are clans of Levi with their grandchildren.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.
    These were the clans of Levi.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The male children of Merari were-namely Mali and Mushi. These are the families who came-from Levi according-to the story/history of his descendants.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And Merari’s male children’s names were as follows: Mali and Musi.
    These people were leading in the families [descended] from Livai.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And male children of Merari, be Mahli and Mushi. These people all, it is they who be family of Levi with seed their.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. All of those people whose names I have listed belonged to tribes/clans descended from Levi, in the order in which they were born.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 6:19

The sons of Merari were the immediate male offspring of Merari, the third and youngest son of Levi. Mahli and Mushi were the first and second sons, respectively. These are the families of the Levites points back to the three sons and eight grandsons of Levi in verses 16-19, after whom the clans of their descendants were named. Contemporary English Version translates “All of the above were from the Levi tribe.” Families should be understood as “extended families” or “clans,” as in verse 14. According to their generations is the same word used in verse 16. (See the comment there.) In this case “with their descendants” clearly expresses the correct meaning.

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 .