Levite

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” and in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Levite” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

For the sign in Spanish Sign Language, see Levi.

More information about Levites .

complete verse (Numbers 8:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 8:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “When you have cleansed and set aside the clan of Levi, they shall be doing the work of my Tent.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Having made the Levites ceremonially clean, [and] after they have been dedicated by [lit.: because of] a wave offering, the Levites may go to work in the Tent of Meeting. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘After you (sing.) have-cleaned already the descendants of Levi and have-dedicated them to me as a special offering, they can- now -serve at the Meeting-Together-Place Tent.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘After the descendants of Levi have been made acceptable to me, and presented to me like a special offering, they may start to work at the Sacred Tent.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 8:15

And after that the Levites shall go in to do service at the tent of meeting: Contrary to Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, the Hebrew structure at the beginning of this verse indicates that a new paragraph begins there (so New International Version). An appropriate introductory expression is needed to indicate this in the target language; for example, And after that may be rendered “After you have dedicated the Levites.” The Levites shall go in to do service at the tent of meeting does not mean they will work at the Tabernacle immediately. The Hebrew verb rendered shall go in is better translated “may go in” (New Revised Standard Version) or “will be qualified” (Good News Translation) in this context. To do service renders the Hebrew verb ʿabad (see verse 11), which may be translated simply “to work” (Good News Translation).

When you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering: For you have cleansed them, see verse 5; for offered them as a wave offering, see verse 11. Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation connect these two clauses closely with the previous clause as events that take place before the Levites are qualified to work at the Tabernacle. However, the Hebrew verbs here suggest a logical connection between these two clauses and the following clause (so NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle, La Nouvelle Bible Segond, Luther, Buber). NET Bible expresses this relationship correctly by rendering verses 15-16a as follows:

• 15 “After this, the Levites will go in to do the work of the tent of meeting. So you must cleanse them and offer them as a wave offering. 16 For they are entirely given to me from among the Israelites.

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 .