brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), all “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

In Lama it is translated as “older or younger brother.” (Source: Neal Brinneman)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

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 (Numbers 27:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 27:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “Soon you shall die like you brother Aaron has died.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After you have seen it, you will die and join your ancestors as your elder brother Aaron.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “After you (sing.) have-seen it, you (sing.) will-die like your (sing.) brother Aaron.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After you have seen it, you will die just like your older brother Aaron did.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 27:13

And when you have seen it (literally “and you will see it”) may be rendered “After you have looked over the land” (see the comments on the previous verse).

You also shall be gathered to your people: See the comments on 20.24. For no apparent reason Good News Bible omits the adverb also. Good News Bible says simply “you will die,” which might suggest incorrectly that Moses will die as punishment for viewing the land.

As your brother Aaron was gathered: This clause refers back Aaron’s death in 20.22-29.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .