Isaac

The name that is transliterated as “Isaac” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and French Sign Language with a sign that is linked to his mother’s laughter when she hears that she will be pregnant with him (referring to Genesis 18:12 – 18:15) and also is the meaning of the Hebrew “Isaac” (Yitschaq — “he laughs”):


“Isaac” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Isaac .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Esau

The name that is transliterated as “Esau” in English means “covered with hair,” “hairy.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language it is translated 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 hairy (like Esau).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esau .

complete verse (Genesis 28:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 28:8:

  • Newari: “So he was made aware of how much his father Isaac disliked Canaanite women.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore Esau realized that his father in-fact(surprise particle) did- not -want the women who came-from-Canaan.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Esau also realized that his father Isaac did not approve of women from the Canaan people-group.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 28:8

So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women …: Revised Standard Version uses a time clause. The Hebrew form is the same as in the opening of Gen 28.6. We may translate as in Revised Standard Version or say, for example, “Esau saw that…,” or as in Good News Translation, “Esau then understood that….” Some translations make the connection to verses 6 and 7 even stronger by saying “From this Esau understood….”

Did not please Isaac his father is literally “were not pleasing in the eyes of Isaac his father.” This thought may be expressed, for example, as “were not pleasing to,” “were not acceptable to,” or “were disagreeable to.” See Good News Translation “Isaac did not approve of.” Revised English Bible has “his father disliked Canaanite women,” and New Jerusalem Bible “his father disapproved of….”

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 .