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)
The name that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English means “he will supplant,” “he that follows after,” “a heeler,” “one who trips up,” “takes hold by the land.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
It 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)
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 29:28:
Kankanaey: “Jacob agreed-to (lit. yessed) that-aforementioned which Laban said, and when that week-long-period was finished, Laban gave his child Raquel to him so-that he would-marry (her).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “He did just that. Seven days later Laban gave his daughter Rachel in marriage to Jacob.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Jacob agreed to what- Laban -said. After one week of celebration of his/[lit. their] marriage to Lea, Laban had- Raquel -marry him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So that is what Jacob did. After the week of celebration was ended, Laban gave him his daughter, Rachel, to be his wife.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Jacob did so: Jacob agrees to finish the marriage feast with Leah and does as his uncle requires.
Completed her week: Jacob remained with Leah for the week of the marriage feast and accepted Leah as his wife.
Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to wife: unlike the case of the first wife, Laban now gives Rachel to Jacob apparently in advance of his seven years service. The narrator says nothing regarding a second marriage feast. We may assume perhaps that this was really a double wedding. Note that Lev 18.18 forbids a man to marry sisters.
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 .
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