enumeration of rivers

The Hebrew that is translated as an enumeration of four rivers (“the second river,” “the third river,” and “the fourth river”) in English is translated in Themne with equivalents of a repetition of “the other,” which matches stylistic requirements in Themne. (Source: David Cranmer in The Bible Translator 1982, p. 219ff. )

Isaac

The name that is transliterated as “Isaac” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and French Sign Language with a sign that is linked to his mother’s laughter when she hears that she will be pregnant with him (referring to Genesis 18:12 – 18:15) and also is the meaning of the Hebrew “Isaac” (Yitschaq — “he laughs”):


“Isaac” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Isaac .

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

Sarai / Sarah

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Sarai” and “Sarah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign depicting coins on a headband, referring to women from the Middle East and North Africa who wear a headband decorated with small coins. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Sarai” and “Sarah” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Sarah .

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

complete verse (Genesis 2:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 2:13:

  • Newari: “The name of the second river is Gihon. It wanders about in a country called Cush.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The name of the second river is Gihon. It flows through the whole land of Cush.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The name of the second river is Gihon. That river flows through all the land of Cain.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 2:13

The name of the second river is Gihon: for Gihon see the discussion in verse 11. Flows around is the same as in verse 11. Land of Cush is sometimes translated “Ethiopia,” since that is how it was translated in the Septuagint. Egyptian inscriptions mention a people by that name as living south of Egypt. Ancient Ethiopia included much of the area that is today Sudan. Because the Nile runs through Sudan, the Gihon was identified with the Nile. It is possible, however, that Cush refers to an area (no longer identifiable) in Iraq, and so Good News Translation has a note “Cush (of Mesopotamia); or Ethiopia.” Because the location is uncertain most modern translations have “Cush,” with or without a footnote.

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 .