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 4:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 4:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “Aaron and his sons must tell the house of Gershon what they shall carry.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Whether it be carrying loads or any other kind of work, they must do as Aaron and his sons tell them. You are to give them responsibility for all their work.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Aaron and his sons/children will-lead/direct the descendants of Gershon about their work(s)/doings, whether carrying things or doing other work. You (plur.) (and) Aaron will-tell what they will-bring.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Aaron and his sons will supervise the work of all the descendants of Gershom. That work includes carrying those things and doing other work that is necessary for moving them. They must tell each of the descendants of Gershom what things they must carry.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Numbers 4:27

Most of this verse about the Gershonites has no parallel verse in the passage concerning the Merarites (verses 29-33). Perhaps this indicates that the Gershonites and their duties were considered as more important than the Merarites and their duties. So the difference between verses 27-28 and verse 33 may well be significant. In Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch this difference is no longer clear, since it has combined verses 27-28.

All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons: For the Hebrew word rendered service, see verse 4. The sons of the Gershonites may be rendered simply “the Gershonites” (Good News Translation). At the command of Aaron and his sons is literally “Upon the mouth of Aaron and his sons,” which is a figurative expression that means “just as Aaron and his sons command” in this context. New Living Translation provides a helpful model for this whole clause, saying “Aaron and his sons will direct the Gershonites regarding all their duties.”

In all that they are to carry, and in all that they have to do: As in verse 24 (see the comments there), there were two aspects to the work of the Gershonites. They had to carry parts of the Tabernacle and they had to serve. Are to carry renders the Hebrew word massaʾ, which is translated “bearing burdens” in verse 24; have to do renders the word ʿabodah, which comes from the same root as the word translated “serving” in verse 24.

And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry: The Hebrew verb rendered you shall assign is plural. Some translations interpret this verb as singular, referring to Moses, since the LORD is speaking to him (see verse 21). De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling follows this interpretation. We advise translators to use the plural here as in Hebrew (so Luther, Buber). Presumably the plural refers to the priests, that is, Aaron and his sons, since they had to oversee the Gershonites as they performed their duties (so Wevers, page 70). This direct speech segment to Aaron and his sons would underscore their authority and primacy within the tribe of Levi. Since the beginning of this verse already refers to Aaron and his sons in the third person, it may be difficult in some languages to refer to them in the second person here. If so, translators may use the third person for them in this sentence; for example, Bible en français courant says “These [Aaron and his sons] will tell them [the Gershonites] what they have to do and to carry,” New Afrikaans Version has “They [Aaron and his sons] have to see to it that the Gershon group carries out all its duties,” and New Living Translation translates “They [Aaron and his sons] must assign the Gershonites responsibility for the loads they are to carry.” For charge, which renders the Hebrew word mishmeret, see the comments on 3.25. Are to carry translates the Hebrew word massaʾ again.

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 .