complete verse (Genesis 30:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:28:

  • Newari: “Tell [me] how much wages you want. That much I will give.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Just say how-much I will-pay-as-wages to you (sing.) for I will-pay you.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Tell me what you want me to pay you for continuing to work for me, and that is what I will pay you.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:28

Name your wages is literally “set your wages on me.” We may render this “Tell me how much I should pay you” or “Tell me how much money you want.” For wages see 29.15. At this point some translations also put into words Laban’s desire for Jacob to stay with him; for example, “You must stay on with me. Tell me your price, how much money 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 .