Lot

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Lot” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “cousin,” referring to the fact that Lot is Abraham’s cousin (see Genesis 11:27). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Lot” 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 Lot (biblical person) .

complete verse (Genesis 14:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 14:16:

  • Kankanaey: “and they rescued/saved Lot and the other people whom plural Kedorlaomer had run-off-with, including women and men. They also got-back all the stolen possessions.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He brought back all the men [and] women that the enemy had captured along with his nephew Lot and his property.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They were-able-to-recover all the possessions which (was) conquered by the enemies. They also recovered Lot and his possessions including the women and other people as-well.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Abram’s men recovered all of the goods that had been taken. They also rescued Lot and all his possessions and also the women and others who had been captured by their enemies.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 14:16

Then he brought back all the goods: brought back refers to returning from the north toward the south in the direction of the place where Abram first learned of Lot’s capture. In some languages it may be necessary to say that they actually arrived back at that place; for example, one translation has “he took them and came back to his camp.” Goods translates the same word used in 13.6 and verse 12 and refers to all of the movable possessions taken by the four kings. Kinsman is the same term used in verse 14.

The women and the people: by showing that the four kings had to surrender their captured women, the narrator draws attention to the extent to which the four kings were defeated. The people refers generally to the prisoners who had been taken captive.

Verse 16 brings to a conclusion the battle report and the safe return of Lot and his possessions. There remains to be told what happened to the remaining loot and the people not belonging to Lot. But before that part of the story is told, there is the brief insertion of the account of Melchizedek.

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 .