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 8:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 8:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Tell Aaron that when he places the seven lamps on the thing to place lamps on, put them so the light throws/shines forward/in front.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Tell Aaron, ‘When you put the seven lamps, put them so that their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.’” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Tell Aaron that when he is now (ready) to-place/set-up the seven lamps, he must set- these -up where the light of-them will-shine in front-of the thing-to-put-on/(lampstand) of-this.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Tell Aaron to put the seven lamps on the lampstand and place them in such a way that they shine toward the front of the lampstand.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 8:2

Say to Aaron introduces what God wants Moses to say to Aaron, so it introduces a quote within a quote. Good News Translation uses indirect speech for the embedded quotation, which may be a helpful model in languages in which direct speech within direct speech is awkward.

When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand: Because of the Hebrew verb forms used here, it is probable that this sentence describes a habit; it refers to a ritual procedure that Aaron was to carry out on a regular or even daily basis. Set up is literally “cause to go up.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “mount.” The detachable lamps were probably small bowl-shaped objects made to hold olive oil, with one part of the rim pinched to hold a wick (see the comments on 4.9). Since the text does not indicate what material was used for the lamps, it is better to assume that, like the lampstand in verse 4, they were made of gold, if this must be made clear in the translation. These lamps should not be confused with more modern types that readers may be familiar with. There were seven lamps, symbolizing completeness and perfection, perhaps also the very presence or glory of God. The lampstand was not a holder of candles but rather a stand commonly used at the time for holding the seven oil lamps (see the comments on 3.31). In cultures where “lampstands” are unknown, translators may say “lamp holder,” “thing on which seven lamps are placed,” or even “pole having seven branches with lamps.” The seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand means the wicks of the lamps had to be placed at the front of the lampstand, so that their light would shine forward, thus illumining the entire Holy Place, especially the golden table and the altar of incense.

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 .