OET interlinear NUM 8:22

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בָּ֣אוּ & לַ⁠עֲבֹ֤ד

they_went & to,serve

The phrase went to serve is a common expression of his culture to mean “were capable of serving” or “began their service.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar phrase in 8:15. Alternate translation: [were capable of serving]

Note 2 topic: writing-poetry

לַ⁠עֲבֹ֤ד אֶת־עֲבֹֽדָתָ⁠ם֙

to,serve DOM service_of,their

Yahweh is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of saying this. Alternate translation: [to serve]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אֶת־עֲבֹֽדָתָ⁠ם֙

DOM service_of,their

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of service, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [as they must serve]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן וְ⁠לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י בָנָ֑י⁠ו

to=(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before ʼAhₐron and,,before_of sons_of,his

Here, to the face of represents being in front of Aaron and his sons. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. See how you translated these words in 8:13. Alternate translation: [before Aaron and before his sons]

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

עָשׂ֥וּ

they_had_acquired

The pronoun they refers to the Levites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the people of Israel]