bear child / give birth

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “bear (a child)” or “give birth to” is translated in Mairasi as “go to the forest,” reflecting the traditional place of childbirth for Mairasi women. (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

In Spanish it is translated as dar a luz, literally “to give to light.” Likewise, in Portuguese (dar à luz) and Italian (dare alla luce). (Source: Mark Terwilliger)

See also in childbirth / travail and birth.

complete verse (Genesis 25:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 25:24:

  • Kankanaey: “When Rebeka then gave-birth, twin males truly came-out (i.e., were-born).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Just as it had been said, there were two children in Rebekah’s womb.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Rebeka gave-birth, her children (were) twins.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Rebekah gave birth, it was true! Twin boys were born!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 25:24

When her days … fulfilled: her refers to Rebekah. Days … fulfilled refers to the nine months of her pregnancy being completed. This clause may be rendered, for example, “When it was time for her to give birth” or “When Rebekah was ready to give birth.”

Behold, there were twins in her womb: behold expresses an element of confirmation of what had been said in verse 23. Good News Translation and some other modern translations do not represent this element. Bible en français courant, however, says “When the moment of her delivery arrived, there was no longer any doubt.” Revised English Bible has “There were indeed twins in….” Some other translations say “When the time came it was true that she gave birth to two boys.”

Twins in her womb: it is more natural in English to say “she gave birth to twins” or, as Good News Translation says, “twin sons,” since both were male.

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 .