curse (noun)

The Hebrew in Genesis 27:13 that is translated into English as “curse” is translated in Idoma as “let the mouth that he throws on you catch me.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also curse.

obedience / obey

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, and Greek that is translated in English typically as “obedience” or “obey” is translated in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “thing hearing,” because “to hear is to obey.” (Source: Marjorie Davis in The Bible Translator 1952, p. 34ff. )

In Huba it is translated as hya nǝu nyacha: “follow (his) mouth.” (Source: David Frank in this blog post )

In Central Mazahua it is translated as “listen-obey” and in Huehuetla Tepehua as “believe-obey” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.), and in Noongar as dwangka-don, lit. “hear do” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018).

See also disobedience.

complete verse (Genesis 27:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:13:

  • Kankanaey: “But his mother said, ‘Just let me (even-if I) be the one to experience his curse. Just-so-long-as you (sing.) obey what I say so-that you will right-away go and get those goats.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Rebekah said to him — ‘May the curse given to you apply to me. Just do as I say and come bringing a sacrificial lamb.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Rebeka replied, ‘Child, I am-the-one-who will-answer/be-responsible if you (sing.) are-cursed, you do just what I am-commanding you. Go now and get me goat(s).'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “His mother replied, ‘If that happens, let the curse be on me. You do what I am telling you. Go and get the goats for me!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:13

Rebekah’s reply reveals that she is determined to pursue her scheme regardless of the consequences.

Upon me be your curse: Rebekah invites the curse that Isaac may cast on Jacob to fall on her. Your curse means the curse that Isaac invokes on you (Jacob). In some languages this sentence must be restructured to make clear how Rebekah invites this curse to transfer to her. Note that Good News Translation says “Let any curse against you fall on me.” We may also translate, for example, “I will take on myself that curse,” “I will accept that curse for myself,” “Let me be cursed and not you,” or “I will be cursed in your place.” A translation that gives a fuller expression to curse says “If he calls down trouble on you, that trouble can come on me alone.”

Only obey my word: Rebekah returns immediately to her scheme and urges her son to act. Obey my word is literally “hear my voice” (see verse 8). Only translates a Hebrew adverb that introduces here a contrast with what has just been said. Note Good News Translation “Just do….” In some languages the contrast may be expressed more idiomatically in words like “Don’t you worry, my son … Just do what I tell you.”

Go, fetch them to me: fetch means “bring.” Them refers to the two kids (verse 9).

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 .