Paragraph 2:5–7
The Hebrew text uses singular pronouns in 2:5–7 which refer back to Levi. However the reference here is not to Levi himself. It refers to his descendants, the priests of earlier days, who obeyed the LORD. Good News Translation uses the plural form in this paragraph and in the following verses to indicate that the verses refer to more than one person. Similarly, the New Century Version translates this reference to Levi in 2:5 as:
My agreement for priests was with the tribe of Levi. (New Century Version)
You should consider if you should do the same in your translation. Make sure that you are consistent in your use of singular or plural pronouns in this section.
2:5a
one of life and peace: That is, a covenant through which Levi’s descendants would receive life and live in peace/security.
peace: The Hebrew word shalom which the Berean Standard Bible translates as peace means much more than the English word “peace.” It can refer to the state of blessing that results from someone living according to the LORD’s will. This peace included feeling well and whole. See also 2:6c.
2:5b
which I gave to him: That is, I did as I had promised him.
which: That is, life and peace.
him: That is, Levi (and his descendants).
2:5c
it called for reverence: Scholars disagree about the way this clause relates to 2:5b. There are at least three views:
(1) It expresses purpose. The LORD gave Levi and his descendants a covenant of life and peace so that they might respect the LORD. For example:
and this is what I gave them, so that they might respect me. (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)
(2) It expresses the covenant’s requirements. In other words, the LORD’s covenant of life and peace gave them the responsibility to revere the LORD and his covenant. For example:
This called for reverence from them. (New Living Translation (2004))
(3) It expresses the type of covenant, just as “life and peace” do. In other words, it was a covenant of reverence towards him, as well as life and peace. For example:
My covenant was with him—a covenant of life and peace, and these were what I gave him—a covenant of respect… (New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
reverence: The purpose of the covenant (2:5a) was to cause Levi and his descendants to respect and revere the LORD.
See the note on 1:6c–d. The same Hebrew word is translated as “reverence” here. If possible, use the same expression in both verses.
2:5d
he revered Me: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as revered is a different form of the same verb which was used in 2:5c. This repetition of the verb emphasizes it. In some languages it may be necessary to change the second expression in some way to make it natural. For example:
and of reverence, which he showed Me. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
2:5e
stood in awe of My name: That is, he respected/feared me greatly. Here again, the subject of the verb is singular, but it refers to both Levi and his descendants.
My name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or My name refers to God himself or his authority. It was also used in this way in 1:6. See the note on 1:6f. Good News Translation uses “me” instead of My name to make this clear.
General Comment on 2:5d–e
These two verse parts are parallel and have similar meanings:
he revered Me,
and stood in awe of My name.
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