flock

The Hebrew in Genesis 27:9 that is translated into English as “flock” is translated in Idoma as ɔdāajɛ or “thing-of-ground” which can include both sheep and goats. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

addressing one's or someone else's father respectfully in Japanese (父上)

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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 important aspect of addressing someone else in one’s or someone else’s family is by selecting the correct word when referring to them. One way to do this is through the usage of an appropriate title within a conversation as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

When the speaker humbly refers to his or her father in the presence of respected interlocutor(s), chichi (父) is often used (see addressing one’s father humbly / respectfully in Japanese (父)).

In some conversations, archaic honorific forms for “father” are chosen that also contain chichi (父) and typically indicate a greater level of respect. That includes chichi-ue (父上). An interesting contrast between the use of of chichi and chichi-ue can be found when there is a reference to “my father and your father.” The former is addressed with chichi and the latter with chichi-ue (for more see 1 Kings 15:19, 1 Kings 20:34, and 2 Chronicles 16:3 along with addressing one’s father humbly / respectfully in Japanese (父)). (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

complete verse (Genesis 27:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:9:

  • Kankanaey: “Go to our pasture so-that you (sing.) will choose two goat offspring that are fat. Bring (them) here so-that I will cook the kind of meat-viand that your (sing.) father likes-very-much” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Go and get two nice sacrificial lambs, [and] I will make their meat really delicious for your father.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Go there to our (incl.) livestock/[lit. animals] and take two young and fattened goats, for I will-cook-for your father his favorite food.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Go out to the flock and kill two nice young goats and bring the meat to me. Then I will prepare some tasty food for your father, the way he likes it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:9

Go to the flock: flock refers to the flock, or herd, of sheep and goats. In some languages it will be more natural to use an expression that refers to the place where the animals are kept; for example, “the place where our goats are” or “the goat yard.”

Fetch me two good kids: fetch me translates a verb meaning “take or bring to me.” Two good kids is literally “two kids [of] goats [which are] good.” Kid refers to a young goat. Good in this context refers to their being good for food and therefore tender or fat. See Good News Translation. It is highly unlikely that “lamb” can be used in place of kid, as goats are more common throughout the world than are sheep. If, however, neither is known, we may use a general expression and say “two young animals.”

Prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he loves: see Gen 27.4.

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 .