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.

complete verse (Numbers 4:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 4:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “These are the things that the house of Gershon are to carry:” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “This is the work that the men of the Gershonite clans must do and these are the loads they must carry — ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘The work/doings of the descendants of Gershon is to carry the following(s):” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘his is the work that they must do and the things that they must carry when you move to a new location:” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 4:24

This verse introduces the duties of the Gershonites, which are listed in verses 25-26.

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites: For the Hebrew word rendered service, see the comments on verse 4. As there, it may be translated “task” or “responsibility” (similarly Good News Translation). Families renders the Hebrew word mishpachah, which is better translated “clans” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; see 1.2).

In serving and bearing burdens: For bearing burdens, which renders the Hebrew word massaʾ, see verse 15. The Hebrew differs here from the end of verse 15 by also including the word for serving (ʿabad), which seems to suggest that the tasks of the Gershonites were less central and perhaps more subordinate than those of the Kohathites. Good News Translation and many other translations do not reflect this. Good models for this whole phrase are “as they serve and carry burdens” (similarly New International Version), “how they have to serve and what they are to carry” (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), and “as they serve by carrying burdens.”

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 .