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 .

complete verse (Genesis 29:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 29:17:

  • Kankanaey: “There were two children of Laban who were young-ladies who were Lea and Raquel. The older-sibling Lea, her eyes were weak. As for her younger-sibling Raquel by-contrast, her body was shapely/lovely and she was beautiful.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Leah’s eyes did not see clearly. Rachel, however, was beautiful to look at.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The eyes of Lea were beautiful/nice, but Raquel was more prettier and nice of body/figure.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Leah had pretty eyes, but Rachel had a very attractive figure and was beautiful.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 29:17

Leah’s eyes were weak: weak translates the Hebrew for “tender,” “delicate,” “dainty.” According to Speiser the popular explanation of the name Leah as meaning “weak” has influenced the translation: “What the narrative appears to be saying is that Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was an outstanding beauty.” Good News Translation translates according to Speiser’s lead but includes “weak” in its footnote. New International Version, on the other hand, says “weak” in its text and “delicate” in its footnote. Probably the best solution for translations that use footnotes is to follow New Revised Standard Version, which has “lovely” in its text, and in its footnote says “meaning of Hebrew uncertain.”

But Rachel was beautiful and lovely: but contrasts the appearance of the two sisters. Beautiful is literally “beautiful in form” and means she was shaped well, or had an attractive figure. See Good News Translation “shapely.” Lovely is literally “beautiful in appearance.” Translators should use terms that define these physical qualities on the basis of what is recognized locally as shapely and beautiful.

Since verses 16 and 17 are an explanation of Jacob’s motivation in working for his uncle, it may be preferable in some languages to express them in Jacob’s own words or thoughts. One translation that does this translates verses 16-18 as follows: “Well, Jacob thought about this. He thought to himself, ‘Laban has two daughters. That older one Leah is pretty all right. But the younger one Rachel is really, really pretty. She’s the one I want.’ So he said to his uncle….”

Another kind of adjustment is to place the information in verses 16, 17, and 18a at the beginning of this subdivision, that is, before verse 15. In this case Laban’s speech in verse 15 will follow “Jacob loved Rachel.” For example, “[16] Now Laban had two daughters … [17] … [18a] … Jacob loved Rachel. [15] One day Laban said to Jacob, ‘… What should your wages be?’ [18b] Jacob answered, ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel.’ ” If this type of adjustment is followed, the verse numbers “15-18” may be placed before this material.

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 .