10:32a
So too, when a Levite: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So too indicates that the Levite behaved exactly as the priest had behaved. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
So likewise (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In the same way (Good News Translation)
In some languages it may be more natural to introduce the Levite in a different way. The information expressed by the phrase “So too” can be expressed by words such as “also.” For example:
Later, there was a Levite…. He also…
Levite: A Levite was a Jewish religious worker who helped the priests in the Temple. The Levites were descendants of Jacob’s son Levi and were members of the tribe called Levi. Jewish people respected them, but their status was not as high as that of priests.
There are several ways to translate this word. Some possibilities are:
• Transliterate the word Levi and include a footnote to explain the meaning. For example:
Levites were members of the tribe of Levi who helped the Jewish priests with their work in the Temple. (New Century Version)
• Transliterate the word Levi and add a descriptive phrase. For example:
a descendant of Levi
-or-
a religious worker from the tribe of Levi
-or-
a temple assistant from the tribe of Levi
• Translate the function of a Levite without using the word Levite. For example:
Temple assistant (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
temple helper (Contemporary English Version)
Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.
came to that spot and saw him: There is a textual issue here. Some Greek manuscripts include a word that implies that the Levite came close to the man to look at him. The two options are:
(1) Some manuscripts do not include this word. The Levite saw the man but did not approach him. For example:
So too a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him went past on the other side. (Revised English Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)
(2) Other manuscripts include this word. The Levite saw the man and approached him. For example:
Next, a Levite came there, and after he went over and looked at the man, he walked by on the other side of the road. (New Century Version)
(Good News Translation, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with a majority of the English versions.
that spot: In some languages it may be necessary to supply information from the preceding context about that spot. For example:
the place ⌊where the man was lying⌋
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