consecrate, consecration

The Greek and Hebrew that are translated as “consecration” or “consecrate” in English is translated in Poqomchi’ as “set apart” (when applying to a ritual not to a moral status). (Source: Robert Bascom)

In Newari it is translated as “make holy” (source: Newari Back Translation) and in Kwere as “put to holy work” when it refers to making someone or something suitable for priestly duties, when it refers to individual consecration outside of the priestly duty, “offer (yourselves) for my sake” is also used. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also holy / sacred / taboo.

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 is translated in Catalan Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language 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 8:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 8:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “He poured some of the oil on the head of Aaron to anoint him to set him apart.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Again he took anointing oil and poured it on Aaron’s head and anointed him to make him consecrate.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then he dripped- oil -on the head of Aaron to-offer him to the LORD.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He/I poured some of the oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to dedicate him to Yahweh.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 8:12

This verse may have to be restructured in some languages so that the idea of consecration or ordination is shifted forward and made the main verb of the sentence. And if the same verb is used of Aaron as of the objects in verses 10 and 11, it may be necessary to add “also” to the sentence. “He also consecrated Aaron…” or “He also showed that Aaron belonged (completely) to the LORD by pouring oil….” The term translated consecrate here is the same as in the two previous verses.

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 .