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 26:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:7:

  • Kankanaey: “When the men at Gerar asked concerning his spouse, he said that Rebeka was his younger-sibling. He was afraid to say that (she was) his spouse lest they kill (him) on-account of Rebeka so-that they would-marry (her), because she of-course was beautiful.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because Isaac’s wife, Rebekah was very beautiful, being afraid that the men who lived there would kill him and take Rebekah, if anyone asked about his wife he would say, ‘[She is] my younger sister.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Rebeka was beautiful, so if the ones from-Gerar would ask Isaac about his wife he answered that Rebeka was his sibling. He was afraid to-say that (she was) his wife for maybe they would-kill him so-that Rebeka could-be-taken.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When the men in Gerar town asked who Rebekah was, Isaac said, ‘She is my sister.’ He said that because he was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife.’ He thought, ‘Rebekah is very beautiful, so they will want her. If I say that she is my sister, they know they will have to negotiate about a bride price because I am her older brother; but if I say that she is my wife, no negotiation will be possible. They will just kill me to get her.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 26:7

When the men of the place … his wife: men of the place refers to the men of Gerar, the native inhabitants. Asked about his wife is general, but Isaac’s reply makes clear that they inquired about his relationship to Rebekah. We may need in some cases to make the question actually say this; for example, “When the men of Gerar asked who Rebekah was” or “When … asked who the woman with him was.” In some translations the intent of the question is made even clearer by saying “When the men of the place saw Rebekah, they asked Isaac, ‘Is this woman your wife?’ ” and the answer that Isaac gives is “No, she is my sister.”

She is my sister: for the same wording in Abraham’s reply, see 20.2.

For he feared to say, “My wife”: Revised Standard Version translates the text literally. The Septuagint has “She is my wife,” but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project defends the Hebrew text as being an {A} reading. The textual point is insignificant, and in many translations it is necessary to say “She is my wife,” or as indirect speech, “he was afraid to admit that Rebekah was his wife.” See Good News Translation.

Revised Standard Version continues to translate Isaac’s thoughts in the first person, thinking “lest the men of the place should kill me,” or as Good News Translation says, “because he was afraid that the men there would kill him.”

For the sake of Rebekah: that is, on account of Rebekah, in order to take Rebekah.

Because she was fair to look upon: a similar remark was made by Abraham regarding the physical beauty of Sarah in 12.11. See also 24.16.

We may translate this verse, for example,

• Rebekah was a beautiful woman. So when the men of Gerar asked Isaac who she was, he replied “She is my sister.” He did not say “She is my wife” because he was afraid they would kill him and take her.

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 .