Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding 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”):
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:16:
Kankanaey: “Then Abimelek said to Isaac, ‘It-is-necessary that you (sing.) leave this country/town of ours (excl.) because here-now you (sing.) are already stronger than we (excl.).'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Abimelech also said to Isaac — ‘You go, leaving our land, for you have become stronger than we are.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Now, Abimelec said to Isaac, ‘[You (sing.)] leave here now, for you (pl.) are now very many for us (incl.).'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Abimelech said to Isaac, ‘You people have become more numerous than we are, so I want you to get out of our area.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Isaac’s power and wealth had become a threat to the security of Abimelech. This verse may need to be introduced with a term equivalent to “So,” “Therefore.”
Go away from us: that is, “Leave us,” “Depart from here,” “Get out of our country.”
For you are much mightier than we: this clause is the reason why Isaac should leave Gerar, and in some languages it will need to be expressed at the beginning of the sentence; for example, “You have become much stronger than we are, so now leave our country.”
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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