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 30:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:36:

  • Newari: “Then Laban’s sons went to a place three day’s distance from the place where Jacob lived. Jacob did the work of caring for the rest of Laban’s cattle.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He separated them from Jacob in a distance of three days walk. The remaining animals were the-(ones) Jacob tended.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then he took these flocks and walked a distance of three days, in order that he could be that far from Jacob. Jacob continued to take care of the rest of Laban’s flocks.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:36

And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob: verse 35 says that Laban put his sons in charge of these animals that Jacob wanted. In verse 36 the text does not say that Laban accompanied his sons, but to avoid Jacob he probably did. Set a distance … means that Laban and his sons led this flock away for three days to a distant grazing ground. In a number of translations Laban’s intent is brought out by the rendering “They went for three days and stayed a long way away from Jacob.” In some languages there are colloquial ways of saying that Laban and his sons “disappeared” or “made themselves scarce.”

And Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flock: this action takes place while Laban and his sons are going away with the speckled and spotted animals to separate these animals from Laban’s flock. In translation it may be necessary to show the relation between these two events. We may say, as does Revised English Bible, “while Jacob was taking care of the rest….”

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 .