The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “firstborn” in English is translated in a number of ways:
“he/she that opens the gown” in Batak Toba (because formerly a woman stopped wearing a gown and started using a bodice after the birth of her first child)
“he/she that damages the stalk (i.e. the body)” in Uab Meto (source for this and above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
“oldest child” in Isthmus Zapotec (source for this and one above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
“firstborn child, who was a boy” in Elhomwe (to make clear, without ambiguity, that Mary did not have daughters before) (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
In Bawm Chin, the term can imply the existence of younger siblings, so a translation is needed that brings out the fact that Jesus is superior to all else, not just the first of a series. (Source: David Clark)
The term that is transliterated as “Ishmael” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter I and the sign signifying “stubborn” (also similar to “donkey”), referring to Genesis 16:12. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Ishmael” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts shooting bow and arrow, referring to the fact that Ishmael was skilled with his bow (see Genesis 21:20). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 25:13:
Newari: “Here are their names, in the order of birth [according to [who was] born first] — Here are their names, in the order of birth [lit.: according to [who was] born first] — Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “These are the names of the children of Ishmael from the oldest: Nebayot, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “These are their names, in the order in which they were born: Ishmael’s oldest son was named Nebaioth. After him were born Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,” (Source: Translation for Translators)
These are the names of the sons … order of birth: if the translator has followed the model suggested for verse 12, verse 13 may begin “The names of Ishmael’s sons are listed here in the order in which they were born.”
Nebaioth: in 28.9 and 36.3, Esau married Mahalath and Basemath, who are said to be the sisters of Nebaioth. The name occurs in Isa 60.7, but nothing more is known about it.
The first-born of Ishmael: this information has already been given in named in the order of their birth. However, the repetition of it calls special attention to the firstborn. Translations like Good News Translation do not repeat it.
Kedar is also mentioned in Isa 60.7 as an ethnic group. It is also named in Psa 120.5; Isa 21.16-17; 42.11; Jer 2.10; 49.28. The name is mentioned in cuneiform texts as the name of an Arabian tribe.
Adbeel occurs only here and in 1 Chr 1.29.
Mibsam and Mishma are mentioned in 1 Chr 4.25 as the names of sons of Simeon.
Dumah occurs in Isa 21.11. This is said by Speiser to be connected with an oasis in the Syrian desert.
Massa is a name mentioned in Pro 31.1.
Hadad occurs only here and is unknown.
Tema is identified by some scholars with the place by that name in Arabia. The name occurs along with Dedan in Jer 25.23 and with Sheba in Job 6.19. The name also occurs in Isa 21.14 along with Dumah, Dedan, and Kedar.
Jetur and Naphish occur in 1 Chr 5.19 as tribes located somewhere east of the Jordan, and who were engaged in battles with some of the tribes of Israel.
Kedemah occurs only here and is unknown.
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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