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.

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Translation commentary on Ezra 8:20

Besides two hundred twenty of the temple servants: In addition to the Levites, a group of temple servants was sent (see Ezra 2.43).

Whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites: The reference is to King David who was known to the readers of the original text. Good News Translation makes this explicit for today’s readers. The word officials translates the same Hebrew word that was rendered “officers” in Ezra 7.28. It can be translated “leading men,” “princes” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “chiefs” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

The basic meaning of the Hebrew verb translated set apart is “to give”; that is, King David and his officials “gave them” or “designated them” to attend the Levites. They were assigned to provide service to the Levites, “to assist the Levites” (Good News Translation). This does not refer specifically to the temple servants who were sent at this time, but to their ancestors as Good News Translation makes clear. This is the only reference in the Old Testament to the origin of this category of Temple workers.

These were all mentioned by name: In contemporary English “to mention” conveys a fairly casual notion. The meaning here can be “listed” as Good News Translation renders it, “indicated” (New English Bible), “designated” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “registered” (New International Version). The Hebrew text uses a passive verb construction and does not say where the names of these Temple servants were recorded. If the receptor language does not use a passive construction or a stative form, it may be necessary to use an alternative construction such as the indefinite third person plural: “They recorded the names of all of them in writing.” Alternatively, an indefinite subject may be introduced; for example, “People wrote the names of all of them in books.” Translators must make it clear that it was the names of the people who were chosen now that were written down and not their ancestors who had been designated by King David.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .