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: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

For the sign in Spanish Sign Language, see Levi.

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:5

And stand in the holy place … the lay people …: The Levites were to position themselves in such a way as to be able to help every Israelite family. The Hebrew text of this verse is somewhat obscure. Holy place is literally “the holy.” Does this refer to the entire Temple area, including the courtyards, or does it refer only to the central room of the Temple in front of the Most Holy Place? The lay people is literally “the sons of the people.” This expression refers to all the people of Israel who were not priests or Levites. It may be translated “the ordinary Israelites,” “your relatives who are not priests or Levites,” or simply “the common people” (New American Bible, An American Translation). The same expression is used again in verses 7, 12 and 13.

The most likely meaning of this verse in simplified form is reflected in the Contemporary English Version rendering, which is “Divide yourselves into groups, then arrange yourselves throughout the temple so that each family of worshipers will be able to get help from one of you.” Moffatt translates “stand in the sacred place with some of each Levitical family, to serve each group of families among your kinsmen the laity.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .