Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jacob” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign signifying Jacob grabbing the heel of Esau during their birth (referring to Genesis 25:26). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia )


“Jacob” in Hungarian Sign Language (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 Esau.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jacob .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 12:46

Take courage, O Israel; and do not be sorrowful, O house of Jacob: These two clauses are parallel and close in meaning. Take courage is a positive expression (Good News Bible “Be brave”), while do not be sorrowful expresses the same thought negatively (Good News Bible “put away your sorrow”; Contemporary English Version “stop being sad”). Another way to render do not be sorrowful is “you should not be grieving” or “stop grieving.” House of Jacob is simply another expression for Israel (compare 2 Esd 8.16). Good News Bible uses only “Israel.” Nothing substantial is lost by doing this, and many translators will want to follow it. We also suggest the following model for this verse:

• “You must be brave, Israel [or, you Israelites]. You are the descendants of Jacob, and you should not be grieving [or, so stop grieving].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.