The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” and in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Levite” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 21:3:
Kupsabiny: “Then the clan of Levi was granted some cities and (places) where they could graze animals.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “So in accordance with the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Descendants of Levi cities with grazing land for their cattle from their own inheritance.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “So according-to what the LORD commanded, the descendants of Levi were-given towns/cities and pasturelands from the land[s] of the Israelinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So the Israeli leaders obeyed this command from Yahweh. They agreed to give towns and pasturelands to the tribe of Levi.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
So in accordance with the LORD’s command the people of Israel gave may be rendered in a slightly different form: “So the people of Israel obeyed the LORD’s command and gave.”
Certain cities may be translated “some of their cities.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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