Canaan

The term that is transliterated as “Canaan” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign loosely referencing the act of hiding/covering one’s face in shame. The association of “shame” with the name “Canaan” comes from Genesis 9, specifically verse 9:25. This sign was adapted from a similar sign in Kenyan Sign Language (see here). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Canaan” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Canaan in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

complete verse (Genesis 10:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 10:15:

  • Newari: “Canaan fathered Sidon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Canaan was the father of Sidon and Het. Sidon was the eldest.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ham’s youngest son, Canaan, became the father of Sidon, who was his eldest son, and Heth, his younger son.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 10:15

This verse takes up Canaan, the last mentioned son of Ham in verse 6, and gives eleven descendants.

Canaan became the father of parallels the expression used of Cush in verse 8 and Egypt in verse 13. The first two names that follow are singular in form.

Sidon his first-born: Sidon is the oldest city of Phoenicia, which probably gives rise to its being referred to as his first-born. Good News Translation says “Sidon, the oldest,” and New English Bible “who was his eldest son.” Here Sidon probably stands for Phoenicia as a whole, as it does in Judges 18.7; 1 Kgs 5.6; 16.31, where Revised Standard Version rendered it “Sidonians.”

Heth refers to the ancient Hittites who dominated much of Canaan. Their center was to the north of Phoenicia, and their dominance in the area lasted from 1600 to 700 B.C., when they were absorbed into the Assyrian empire. New International Version has “Hittites” in its text, while New English Bible and Revised English Bible have Heth in the text and “Hittites” in the footnote. Either way is suitable.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .