wages

“In Genesis 29:15, the verse speaks of the ‘wages’ Laban should have paid Jacob, but in Bari the ordinary word for wages cannot be used, as there is no question of hire between relatives. The reward for work done is called doket, ‘gift’, or yariet, ‘help’.”

Source: Source: P. Guillebaud in The Bible Translator 1965, p. 189ff.

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 .

complete verse (Genesis 29:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 29:15:

  • Kankanaey: “Laban said to him, ‘I know admittedly that we (dual) are-a-unit-of-uncle-and-nephew, but I will salary you (sing.) anyway. Tell (me) then what you (sing.) want as your (sing.) salary.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Laban said to him — ‘Even though we are relatives, should you work for me for nothing? Say how much you want for wages.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Laban said to him, ‘(It is) not good that you (sing.) work for me without wages because you (sing.) are my nephew. Tell me what you (sing.) want me to pay-as-a-wage to you.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Laban said to him ‘You should not work for me for nothing just because you are a relative of mine!/Why should you work for me for nothing just because you are a relative of mine? Tell me how much you want me to pay you.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 29:15

The text from this verse to verse 19 is another instance of a negotiation between two parties, in this case Jacob and Laban. For a previous instance see 23.3-18. In his relationship with Laban, Jacob was neither a slave nor a hired worker; so some agreement or contract was necessary if Jacob was to stay and work with Laban.

This episode opens with Laban asking Jacob a rhetorical question: Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? This question expects a negative reply. “Should you work for me for nothing? No!” In many languages it will be more natural to use a negative statement, “You should not work for me for nothing,” or a positive statement, “You should be paid for working for me.” Laban’s question assumes Jacob will work or has accepted that he will work for his uncle. However, this fact is not stated until verse 18. It may be necessary, therefore, to make this clear at the beginning of verse 15 by saying, for example, “Then Laban spoke with Jacob about his work….” It is not stated, but we may quite naturally assume from the text that Jacob had already begun to work for Laban during the month that is referred to in verse 14. If this is the case, then the negotiation that is reported here takes place to sort out a problem that has already arisen. One translation that reflects this understanding of the situation moves the time expression “for one month” from the end of verse 14 to the beginning of this episode as part of a time transition: “After Jacob had been working for his uncle Laban for one month, Laban said to him, ‘You can’t work for me without pay.’ ”

Kinsman translates the Hebrew for “brother.” See comments on verse 12. Here the translation may follow Good News Translation “my relative,” or else give the actual relationship, “my nephew.” Note that Good News Translation has switched the two clauses so that the cause clause follows the result clause. This may serve as a model for some languages.

Tell me, what shall your wages be?: the reply to this question comes in verse 18. Wages refers to payment or reward given in exchange for services. We may translate “Tell me how much I should pay you,” “What wages do you ask?” or “How much money will you want?”

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 .