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 8:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 8:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, bring the clan of Levi to be near my Tent and gather the people of Israel” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “you Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting and assemble the whole Israelite community there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Then you (sing.) will-cause-to-gather the entire community of Israel and dedicate the descendants of Levi at the front of the Meeting-Together-Place Tent.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then you must summon all the Israeli people to come together in front of the Sacred Tent, to gather around the descendants of Levi.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 8:9

And you shall present the Levites before the tent of meeting, and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel: Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew text of this verse by having the Levites assemble at the Tent of Meeting before the other Israelites. Good News Translation reverses this order of assembling, which we do not recommend. The Hebrew verb for present is literally “bring forward” (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “bring close.” Chewa says “bring to,” which also renders this verb well. It should not be implied that Moses has to force the Levites to come. Good News Translation renders this verb as “have … stand,” which incorrectly implies force. For the tent of meeting, see 1.1; for the Hebrew word rendered congregation, which is better translated “community” (Good News Translation), see 1.2.

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 .