The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Reuben” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “head” or “leader” referring to the position he had among his brothers as the firstborn. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The sons of Reuben … Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: These same four names of Reuben’s sons are found also in Gen 46.9; Exo 6.14; and Num 26.5-6. Good News Translation has added the word “four” as the context allows. These four men were the immediate offspring of Reuben and not his descendants, so the word sons is an appropriate translation here. The Hebrew has no verb in this verse, but a verb such as “had” (Good News Translation), “fathered” or “gave birth to” may be supplied since that is what is clearly understood in this context.
Bible en français courant (and similarly Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente) helpfully restructures verses 1-3 as follows:
• Reuben was the first son of Jacob, but after he had slept with one of his father’s wives, the rights of firstborn son were attributed to Joseph, he too a son of Jacob. Reuben was therefore no longer considered the firstborn. As far as Judah is concerned, he was the strongest among his brothers, and it was one of his descendants who became king of Israel, but the rights of the firstborn son were nevertheless attributed to Joseph.
The sons of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
5:3 The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
The sons of Reuben, who was the firstborn son of Israel, ⌊were⌋ Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. -or-
Reuben was Israel’s first son. ⌊Then⌋ Reuben ⌊became⌋ the father of Hanok and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.