red

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “red” in English is translated in Silimo with a local reference: “the colour of the red rocks used to dye nets” (source: Buzz and Myrna Maxey ).

Esau

The name that is transliterated as “Esau” in English means “covered with hair,” “hairy.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “hairy forearm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm, Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Esau” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

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

See also hairy (like Esau).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esau .

complete verse (Genesis 25:25)

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

  • Kankanaey: “The one-who-came-first, his body was red and hairy like animal skin, so they named him Esau.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The first child born was red. His body was covered with hair. So he was given the name Esau.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The first (one) who came-out was redish and hairy, so they named him Esau.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The first one born was red, and his body had hair all over it, like a garment made of hair. So they named him Esau, which sounds like the Hebrew word that means ‘hairy’.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 25:25

The first came forth red: many languages have words to designate the first and second of a pair of twins. Came forth refers to the baby coming out of the mother’s birth canal. Some languages use the expression “the first to see light,” “the first to cry out.” Red (Hebrew ʾadmoni) is the first of two characteristics of the firstborn twin. The word describes the color of the child’s skin. It is a reddish color, but not red like the color of blood. Because color terms are difficult to translate, it is often useful to use a comparison “red like….” The color term or the comparison must be one that can be applied to a newborn infant, even though in experience it may be rare. This characteristic is linked by the sound of the Hebrew words to the name Edom, which is the tribal name of Esau’s descendants. See also comments on verse 30.

All his body like a hairy mantle: the second description compares the child’s skin to a coat or robe that is hairy (Hebrew seʿar). In other words he was covered with hair like a coat.

So they called his name Esau: Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation so gives the impression that the name Esau results from the child’s hairy appearance. However, Esau (Hebrew ʿEsaw) only faintly resembles seʿar, the Hebrew word for “hairy.” For a statement that explains the name Esau as a wordplay, see Good News Translation footnote. The Hebrew connective may also be rendered “and,” which results in a simple statement about the name, “and they named him Esau” (Revised English Bible). Some translators may find this is a suitable model to follow.

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 .