brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), both “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

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 )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Moses, more information on Aaron , and this lectionary in The Christian Century .

complete verse (Deuteronomy 32:50)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 32:50:

  • Kupsabiny: “You shall die there on the mountain like your brother Aaron who died on the mountain of Hor.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Like your elder brother Aaron died and join his ancestors on Mount Hor, you also will die and join your ancestors on the mountain.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And in that mountain you (sing.) will-die and you (sing.) will-be-gathered/joined to your (sing.) blood-relatives who were-dead already, as Aaron your (sing.) sibling died on Mount Hor and was-gathered/joined also to his blood-relatives.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You will die on that mountain , like your older brother Aaron died on Hor Mountain.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 32:50

And die: in the context this is a command. But we may say something like “you shall die” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

On the mountain which you ascend: this will be needless repetition in some languages; in others it will be normal style.

Be gathered to your people: that is, Moses will go to Sheol, where the other dead Israelites are. This is a common way of speaking of dying; see Gen 25.3; 27.13; 35.29; Num 27.13 (and see the similar expression in 31.16). In some cultures this will be a normal way of talking about death; where it is not, this phrase should not be used. The translation should say simply “you will die.”

As Aaron your brother: for Aaron’s death see 10.6; Num 20.22-29; 33.38-39. Good News Translation is a good model for this verse.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .