Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was used by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Exodus 1:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 1:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then the king/ruler of Egypt told his people that, ‘Get/Take any boy of these Israelites that is born and throw into the river. But spare the girls/let the girls live.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the Pharaoh commanded to all his dependents saying this, ‘Cast all the male children born to Hebrews into the Nile River. Leave only the female children.’” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Later-on the king of Egipto commanded all his people, ‘[You (plur.)] throw-(away) into the Nile River all the male children of the Israelinhon who (are) newly born, but allow only the female children/(babies) to-live.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “It came about that the great chief talked strong to the people of Isip like this, ‘If the Ibru woman bear male children, throw them down into the big river Nail. And if they bear female children, leave them so that they stay [well].’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “And king of Egypt said to his people all «Male children who women of Hebrew will birth all, you take them, throw them in river of Nile. But, you leave female children.»” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the king commanded all the Egyptian people/his advisors: ‘You must throw into the Nile River every baby boy born that the Hebrew women give birth to! But you can allow the baby girls to live.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 1:22

All his people here refers to all the Egyptians, for this was an order to murder all newborn Hebrew boys throughout the country. (See verse 9 for a different context and meaning for “people.”)

The phrase to the Hebrews is not in the Hebrew text, as the footnote in Revised Standard Version indicates. Since the context clearly supplies this information, a footnote is not necessary for a functional equivalent translation.

The Nile was so important to everyone living in Egypt that it is simply referred to in the Hebrew as “the river.” The context should determine whether to translate it as “the river,” or as the Nile. For readers unfamiliar with this river in Egypt, it may be necessary to translate “the river that is called Nile,” or simply “the Nile River.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .