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 29:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 29:23:

  • Kankanaey: “But on that night, instead of Raquel being the one whom he caused-to-enter (unfulfilled expectation) to where- Jacob -was so that he would sleep-with-her, he caused- Lea -to-enter. And Jacob slept-with her.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But in the evening, Laban brought his daughter Leah to Jacob. Jacob slept with her.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But at night, instead of Laban bringing Raquel to Jacob, Lea (was) the one-he-brought. And Jacob laid-together with Lea.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But that evening, instead of taking Rachel to Jacob, Laban took his older daughter, Leah, to him. But because it was already dark, he could not see that it was Leah and not Rachel, and he had sex with her.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 29:23

In order to understand the way in which Laban deceives Jacob, it is necessary to assume, as supported by 24.65, that the bride remained veiled throughout the wedding feast. But even with this understanding, we may agree with Driver when he says “it is still difficult to understand how the disguise could be carried successfully through.”

But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob: evening probably refers in this case to some time after dark. Since Jacob is expecting to be united with Rachel, it may be necessary to say, as does Good News Translation, “instead of Rachel,” which makes clear that Laban is deceiving Jacob. In some cases this may need to be made even stronger; for example, “Instead of bringing Rachel, he waited until dark and then brought Leah to Jacob” or “… brought Leah to Jacob’s room.” Another way of expressing this is to say “But that night he did not take his second daughter to Jacob, he took his first daughter to him.” In some translations the deception is stated directly: “But when the sun went down and it was dark, he tricked Jacob and brought … Leah.”

And he went in to her means that Jacob had sex with Leah. Translators must be careful to express this thought in a manner that can be read in public. Many languages say “he slept with her,” “he lay down with her,” or “they slept together.”

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 .