peace offering

The Hebrew that is rendered in English as “peace offering” or “sacrifice (or “offerings”) of well-being” or similar is translated into Pökoot as pöghisyö: “gift of peace/fellowship.” This term has the connotations of fellowship, wholeness, restored relationships, etc. The word pöghisyö is also used as a common greeting (much like Shalom in Hebrew).

In the Italian Traduzione interconfessionale in lingua corrente (2014) it is translated as “sacrificio per il banchetto sacro” (“sacrifice for the holy banquet”), in the Contemporary Russian Version (2nd ed., 2015) as “banquet offering,” or in Tatar as “sacrifice of reconciliation.” (Source: Lénart de Regt in The Bible Translator 2017, p. 131ff. )

The German Jewish translation by Buber and Rosenzweig has “peace meal slaughter” (Friedmahlschlachtung).

fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

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 (Leviticus 7:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 7:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “to the sons of Aaron who offer the blood and the fat of the fellowship offering.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The right thigh will be the share of the son of Aaron who offers the blood and the fat of the Fellowship Offering.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The right thigh of the animal will-be- given to that priest who offers the blood and its fat.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The son of Aaron who offers the blood and the fat of that sacrifice must be given the right thigh of the animal as his share.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 7:33

He among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood …: this long and awkward expression simply means “to the officiating priest,” but since the blood and the fat are important here, it may be better to translate as in Good News Translation, “the priest who offers the blood and the fat.”

Good News Translation makes one sentence of verses 32 and 33 by simplifying the structure and eliminating redundant elements. This should serve as a good model for many other languages.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .