Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 21:11:
Kankanaey: “Abraham was extremely sad (lit. his thoughts hurt excessively) upon Sara’s saying that, because Ismael was certainly also his child (empathy particle).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Abraham’s heart was not at ease about this matter. For Ishmael was also his own son.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Abraham felt bad because Ishmael was his child too.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Abraham was very distressed about the matter, because he was concerned about his son Ishmael.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English means “father of a multitude,” “father of mercy,” “father of many nations.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In the vast majority of sign languages, including American Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “hold back arm” (referring to Genesis 22:12).
In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign for that demonstrates his new destiny. Previously, he had been called to wander from his home, and the name “Abram” reflected this movement (see here). The new sign name is in one location and stays there, showing Abraham will be given a land to call his own. At this time, Abraham was in the southern part of Canaan, which is shown on the base arm by the location near the elbow. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)
“Abraham” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL
In Tira it is transliterated as Abaram. The choice of this, rather than the widely-known “Ibrahim,” as used in the Tira translation of the Qu’ran, was to offset it against the Muslim transliteration which originates from Arabic. (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )
Click or tap here to see two short video clips about Abraham (source: Bible Lands 2012)
And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham: the thing, meaning matter or affair, refers to Sarah’s plea for Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. It must often be translated with more content; for example, “The thought of sending them away pained Abraham,” “What Sarah said hurt Abraham very much.” Was very displeasing to Abraham is literally “displeasing in Abraham’s eyes.” The verb means to cause emotional pain or hurt; as some translations say, “made Abraham feel very bad [sad].”
On account of his son means “because of the relationship between Abraham and his son” or “because Abraham cared very much for his son.” Good News Translation says “because Ishmael was also his son.”
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 .
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