firstborn

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “firstborn” in English is translated in a number of ways:

  • “he/she that opens the gown” in Batak Toba (because formerly a woman stopped wearing a gown and started using a bodice after the birth of her first child)
  • “he/she that damages the stalk (i.e. the body)” in Uab Meto (source for this and above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • “the oldest son of all” in Mezquital Otomi
  • “oldest child” in Isthmus Zapotec (source for this and one above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
  • “firstborn child, who was a boy” in Elhomwe (to make clear, without ambiguity, that Mary did not have daughters before) (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bawm Chin, the term can imply the existence of younger siblings, so a translation is needed that brings out the fact that Jesus is superior to all else, not just the first of a series. (Source: David Clark)

See also only begotten son / (one and) only son and firstborn.

family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

Reuben

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)


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

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Reuben (son of Jacob) and the Tribe of Reuben .

complete verse (Exodus 6:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 6:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “The firstborn son of Jacob is Reuben. Reuben had four sons and these are: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These people opened/gave rise to the clans of/from the stomach of Reuben.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “These were the heads of their families:
    The sons of Reuben, firstborn son of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. These were the descendants of Reuben.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These are the ancestors of the households/families who came-from some of the tribes of Israel: The male children of Reuben, the first-born child of Israel, were-namely Hanoc, Palu, Hezron, and Carmi. They and their descendants were the families who came-from Reuben.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “The following people were leading in some of the families of Israel.
    Ruben was Israel’s firstborn child. Ruben’s male children’s names were as follows: Anok and Palu and Esron and Karmi. These people were leading in the families [descended] from Ruben.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “These names, be names of tribes of people of Israel: male children of Reuben who be firstborn of Israel, be Hanoch, and Pallu, and Hezron, and Carmi. These people be family of Reuben.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Here is/I will now give you a list of the ancestors of Moses/me and Aaron:
    The sons of Reuben, who was Jacob’s oldest son, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. They were ancestors of the clans that have those same names.” (Source: Translation for Translators)