Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign signifying Jacob grabbing the heel of Esau during their birth (referring to Genesis 25:26). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia )


“Jacob” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

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 Esau.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jacob .

complete verse (Genesis 27:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:17:

  • Kankanaey: “Then she gave to him the delicious meat-viand and other food that she had cooked so-that he would take-it to his father.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then she put her tastily prepared meat and bread into the hands of Jacob.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then she gave to Jacob the food and the bread which she had-cooked.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then she handed him some bread and the tasty food that she had prepared.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:17

She gave the savory food and the bread: for savory food see Gen 27.4. Nothing was said in verse 4 about bread. However, we may assume that any dish Isaac and his people would eat would be accompanied by bread, as the broken pieces of bread were used to dip up the food and were thus served in place of eating utensils such as spoon and fork. Note also that “wine” is not mentioned here but occurs in verse 25 as part of the meal.

Most references in Genesis to bread have carried the sense of food generally. Here, as in 25.34, bread refers to the baked product of an oven. In areas where bread is not eaten but is known, a borrowed word is often available. If this is not the case, it may be possible to substitute a local item of food that serves the same purpose. If there is none, we may simply say “she handed him the special food she had cooked.”

Which she had prepared: this clause may refer to the savory food and the bread. However, Good News Translation and some others restrict it to the bread, “along with the bread she had baked.” Either way is possible.

Into the hand of her son Jacob: that is, “she gave to Jacob,” “put into his hands,” “handed to him.”

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 .