Most High

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:

Aaron

The name that is transliterated as “Aaron” in English is translated in Catalan Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language 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 )

See also Moses and this lectionary in The Christian Century .

Translation commentary on Sirach 50:16

Then the sons of Aaron shouted: Then may be rendered “After this.” Good News Translation refers to the sons of Aaron simply as “the priests” (compare verse 13).

They sounded the trumpets of hammered work: Trumpets are musical instruments that are put to the mouth and blown (see the illustration at 26.27). Metal trumpets were made by hammering the soft metal into shape. Good News Translation identifies the metal from which the trumpets were made as “silver”; this information is drawn from Num 10.2, as well as The Mishnah.

They made a great noise to be heard for remembrance before the Most High: See Num 10.10. Apparently the loud noise symbolizes getting the Lord’s attention, a liturgical way of calling on the Lord to hear them. Good News Translation says “They made a loud noise that the Most High would hear.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.