made life bitter

The Hebrew that is translated as “made life bitter” or similar in English is translated in Indonesian as “made heart bitter” (Alkitab Terjemahan Baru translation) (source: Daniel Arichea in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 209ff. )

In Nyamwezi, nnandyo is used, a term that communicates that “they brought sorrow/bitterness into their lives (from this point forward).” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

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”):


“Isaac” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Isaac .

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

Rebekah

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)


“Rebekah” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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

More information on Rebecca .

complete verse (Genesis 26:35)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:35:

  • Newari: “Those women by doing [what they did] caused life to be difficult for Isaac and Rebekah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These two women caused- too much -grief to Isaac and to Rebeka.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Esau’s two wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 26:35

And they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah: they refers to the two Hittite women, and in translation it may be necessary to make this clear. For example, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “These two women….”

Made life bitter is literally “they were bitterness of spirit to…,” where “spirit” refers to the state of mind, inner self. In some languages this expression is best rendered by a figurative phrase; for example, “They made Isaac’s and Rebekah’s heart to boil,” “… caused Isaac’s and Rebekah’s innermost to churn,” “… made the livers of Isaac and Rebekah hot.”

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 .