Levite

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

For the sign in Spanish Sign Language, see Levi.

More information about Levites .

complete verse (Nehemiah 8:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 8:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “There were also some Levites who explained to the people who were there what these laws meant. These Levites were: Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the people now stood, the Law was-made-clear to them. The ones-who-made-clear to them were the Levites who were Jeshua, Bani, Sherebia, Jamin, Akub, Shabetai, Hodia, Maasea, Kelita, Azaria, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaya.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then the people stood-up and Jesua who was a Levita explained (lit. caused-to-be-clear) to them the law.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, were all Levites/men who worked in the temple. They explained the meaning of the laws of Moses to the people who were standing there.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 8:7

Verse 7 is a summary of what will be described in detail in the following verses 8 and 9.

Also … the Levites, helped the people to understand the law: All those who are named here were Levites. The role of the Levites was to teach the people the meaning of the Law (see 2 Chr 17.7-9). Nine of the thirteen Levites are named elsewhere in Nehemiah. Four, Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, and Hodiah, are found in Neh 9.4-5, where they stood on the platform when the people gathered to confess their sins. These four plus three others, Kelita, Hanan, and Pelaiah, are found in Neh 10.9-13, where they signed the agreement to keep God’s Law. Two others, Shabbethai and Jozabad, are called leaders of the Levites and are mentioned in Neh 11.16.

As indicated by the Revised Standard Version footnote, there is a textual problem with the Levites in this verse. The text reads literally “and the Levites,” with this phrase following the list of names. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Chouraqui both translate according to MT. Most versions, however, follow the example of the Vulgate and 1 Esdras 9.48 and understand the Levites to be in apposition to the list of names. Translators should follow the example of Revised Standard Version or the model of Good News Translation.

While the people remained in their places: The people stood still while the Levites were explaining the Law. New Jerusalem Bible translates “the people all kept their places.” Nouvelle version Segond révisée says “the people remained standing.” Whether the Levites moved around or stood in the midst of small groups is not indicated. Some translations like Good News Translation interpret this verse to say that the people stood up again from praying and then remained standing in their places while the Levites explained the Law to them.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .