15Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, coming out with her water jar on her shoulder.
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Rebekah” or “Rebecca” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “bracelet,” referring to the gift that she receives in Genesis 24:22. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:15:
Kankanaey: “His prayer was not yet finished and Rebeka arrived carrying-on-her-shoulder a jar that she was-using-to-fetch-water. This Rebeka, she was the child of Betuel who was the child of Milca and Nahor who was the sibling/cousin of Abraham.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Before he was finished praying, a beautiful woman who had not yet been married came bringing a pitcher to get water. That woman was Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, Abraham’s younger brother. Nahor’s wife was Milcah. Going before him, Rebekah went to the well. Then, having drawn water, [she] was about to go back.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He had- not yet -finished praying, Rebeka arrived carrying- a jar -on-her-shoulder. Rebeka (was) the child of Betuel, and Betuel (was) the child of Nahor and Milca. Nahor (was) the sibling of Abraham.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Before he finished praying, amazingly, Rebekah arrived there, carrying a jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s younger brother Nahor.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Done speaking: that is, finished saying the words in verse 14, which are addressed to the LORD as a prayer.
Behold signals that the following event happens quickly, even surprisingly. We may translate “Before he finished praying he suddenly saw Rebekah.”
Translators will note that Revised Standard Version and some other versions retain approximately the Hebrew spelling of Rebekah’s name. Other modern English translations use the English spelling “Rebecca.” The Handbook will follow the Revised Standard Version spelling in the comments and recommended translations, except when quoting English language printed editions that use the other form.
Who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother: the identification of Rebekah interrupts her sudden appearance and should most often be placed at the end of the verse, as in Good News Translation. Since Rebekah has been introduced by name in verse 15, some translations prefer to use her name in place of “she” in the verses that follow. It may be necessary to make the relationships clearer by following Good News Translation.
Came out: that is, came out of the city, not out of the well area. Good News Translation and others say “arrived.” We may also say “He suddenly saw Rebekah coming [approaching].”
Water jar upon her shoulder: water jar refers to a clay pot or jar. In some cases it may be necessary to translate more generally by saying, for example, “water container,” “thing for carrying water in.” Although in many areas a water jar is carried on the head or back, it is probably best to keep the picture as stated. Readers generally realize that the customs of other people differ from their own.
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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