sheep

“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep.’ In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb and sheep / lamb.

Rachel

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Rachel” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies the eyelashes, referring to “beautiful eyes” as the opposite of Leah (see Genesis 29:17). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Rachel” 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 .

See also Leah.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Rachel .

well

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “well” in English is translated in Cherokee as ama atlvhdiyi or “where you fill it with water.” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 16)

drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

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 29:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 29:10:

  • Newari: “As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of his mother’s brother Laban and her sheep, [he] went, removed the rock that was on the mouth of the well and gave water to his mother’s brother’s sheep to drink.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Jacob saw Raquel the child of his uncle Laban, along-with the sheep of Laban, he went to the well and he rolled the stone and had- the sheep of his uncle Laban -drink.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, who was his mother’s brother, Jacob was so excited that he went over and by himself rolled away the stone that covered the top of the well, and he got water for his uncle’s sheep.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 29:10

Now when Jacob saw Rachel: Now when translates the Hebrew verb “to happen” followed by a relative clause marker. In King James Version this is regularly translated “And it came to pass.” This may best be rendered in English as a time expression, “When” or “As soon as.” Saw Rachel: Jacob’s attention was called to Rachel in verse 6 while she was still some distance away. Now, however, she is near the well, and Jacob can see her distinctly. She is described in verse 17 as being “beautiful and lovely.”

Rachel the daughter of Laban: the relation of Rachel to Laban was first given in verse 6, and Good News Translation does not repeat it here.

Laban his mother’s brother: this information was given in 28.2, 5. In this verse mother’s brother occurs three times, and translators may need to find ways to avoid unnecessary repetitions of this phrase. For example, on the first occurrence we may say “his uncle Laban” and omit the second and third repetitions, as in Good News Translation.

We may translate verse 10, for example, “When Jacob saw his cousin Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, ….”

Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth: the narrator gives the impression that it is the sight of the lovely Rachel that gives Jacob the strength to remove the stone by himself. But it will take him fourteen years of labor to obtain her for his wife.

And watered the flock of Laban: that is, “and gave water to Laban’s flock” or “gave a drink to Laban’s animals.”

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 .