firstborn

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “firstborn” in English is translated in a number of ways:

  • “he/she that opens the gown” in Batak Toba (because formerly a woman stopped wearing a gown and started using a bodice after the birth of her first child)
  • “he/she that damages the stalk (i.e. the body)” in Uab Meto (source for this and above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • “the oldest son of all” in Mezquital Otomi
  • “oldest child” in Isthmus Zapotec (source for this and one above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
  • “firstborn child, who was a boy” in Elhomwe (to make clear, without ambiguity, that Mary did not have daughters before) (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bawm Chin, the term can imply the existence of younger siblings, so a translation is needed that brings out the fact that Jesus is superior to all else, not just the first of a series. (Source: David Clark)

See also only begotten son / (one and) only son and firstborn.

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 3:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 3:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Aaron had these sons: Nadab, who was the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The names of the sons of Aaron were: Nadab, the eldest, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The children of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Itamar. Nadab is the oldest.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Aaron’s four sons were Nadab the oldest, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 3:2

These are the names of the sons of Aaron introduces the list of Aaron’s sons. The naming formula These are the names occurs periodically throughout the Pentateuch (see, for example, 1.5; 34.17; Gen 25.13; Exo 6.16). As a formula it should be rendered consistently on each occasion, even if not literally.

Nadab the first-born, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar: See Exo 6.23. Aaron’s sons are listed in their birth order. In Hebrew the conjunction and occurs twice in this list (also in Exo 6.23; 28.1; Num 26.60; 1 Chr 24.1). It may occur the first time to set off Nadab from his younger brothers. In many languages it will be better to use this conjunction only once, just before the last name (so Good News Translation).

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 .