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 (Exodus 29:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 29:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that, take those clothes that have been sewn for (him/them) and dress Aaron. First dress (him) with the tunic, then the robe, and then (the) ceremonial cloth (ephod). Then follows the pocket/bag which is worn on the chest which is used for inquiring about issues, then tie around the waist the band/rope which is wisely woven.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Bringing the garments and dressing Aaron with tunic, cloth of priest, ephod and breastplate, tie the sash on ephod that weaved skillfully.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then have- Aaron -put-on his inner garment, the outer garment, the special clothing/garment, and the like-pocket(s) which is on the chest. Tie on his waist the special clothing by-means-of a cloth-belt which is-made well.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then decorate Aron with the decorations of offerings. Put his siot onto him, and his long robe, and his trunk’s cloth, and the small cloth for his chest. Tie that trunk’s cloth of his together with the belt of his middle which the people of artwork weaved.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And you shall dress Aaron his clothes all: tunic, and shirt, and cloth of thigh, and cloth of chest, and belt which they who be wise for clothes fashioning sew.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Then put the special clothes on Aaron—the long-sleeved tunic/gown, the robe that will be worn underneath the sacred apron, the sacred apron, the sacred pouch, and the sash/waistband.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 29:5

And you shall take the garments is quite literal, using the singular you. This action is related to the second verb, and put on, which is literally “and you [singular] will cause to put on,” or “and you will clothe.” Two separate actions are not intended, so Good News Translation translates only one, “Then dress Aaron…” (similarly Contemporary English Version). The garments is the same word used in 28.2 and 4. These are “the priestly garments” (Good News Translation), or “vestments,” that are described in chapter 28. Aaron is to be dressed first.

The coat is the tunic mentioned in 28.39. Good News Translation has “shirt,” but this was the common ankle-length undergarment with long sleeves. The robe of the ephod is the “the robe that goes under the ephod” (Good News Translation). It had no sleeves and went over the tunic. It is described in 28.31-34. The ephod was the apron-like skirt with shoulder straps. It is described in 28.6-13. The breastpiece was the small square-shaped pouch worn over the breast and fastened to the ephod. It is described in 28.15-28.

And gird him uses the verb form of ephod, meaning “to put on tightly” (as described in the comment at 28.6). It is used in reference to tying on the ephod by means of the skilfully woven band of the ephod. This band is described in 28.8. It was a part of the ephod. Good News Translation calls it a “belt” and mistakenly lists it as a separate garment. But it should not be confused with the sash, or “girdle,” mentioned in verse 9. (The “girdle” is described in 28.39.) New International Version is much easier to understand: “Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .