brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), both “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

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 .

older brother (Japanese honorifics)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title.

In these verses, the Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as nī-san (兄さん), combining the word for “older brother” (nī) and the suffix title –san. Job 1:18 uses a smilar term with the additional honorific prefix o: o-nī-san (お兄さん). (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also brother (older brother).

Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, 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 )

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 .

Esau

The name that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language with the signs signifying “hairy forearm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm, Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Esau” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

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 Jacob and hairy (like Esau).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esau .

complete verse (Genesis 27:42)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:42:

  • Newari: “She called her son Jacob and said — ‘Your elder brother is thinking of taking revenge by killing you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But Rebeka heard-the-news about the plan of Esau, so she had- Jacob -called and told-(him), ‘Your older-sibling Esau is-planning to kill you (sing.) so-that he will-be-consoled from his anger with you.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But Rebekah found out what her older son, Esau, was thinking. So she summoned her younger son, Jacob, and said to him, ‘Listen to me. Your older brother, Esau, is comforting himself by planning to kill you, to get revenge because of your deceiving your father.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:42

But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah: But contrasts what Esau thought to himself and Rebekah’s learning of it. We may also say in English “When,” or “But when.” In languages in which the passive cannot be used, it may be necessary to say, for example, “Someone told Rebekah what Esau had been saying” or “Rebekah found out what Esau was planning to do.”

She sent and called Jacob: that is “she sent someone to bring Jacob.”

Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself by planning to kill you: Behold serves the same function as in verse 39. See there for translation suggestions. Comforts translates a verb whose basic meaning is as in Revised Standard Version. In this context, however, it carries the sense of taking revenge; that is, Esau plans to relieve his anger and frustration by taking revenge on Jacob. So New Jerusalem Bible translates “means to take revenge,” and Good News Translation “planning to get even with you.” We may translate, for example, “Esau is making himself feel better by planning to kill you,” “Esau hopes to set things right by killing you,” or “Esau is planning to pay you back for what you did; he wants to kill you.”

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 .