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 31:47)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 31:47:

  • Newari: “Laban named it Jegar-sahadutha. Jacob named it Galeed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Laban named the piled-up stones Jegar Sahaduta. But Jacob named it Galeed.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Laban gave the heap the Aramaic name Jegar-Sahadutha, which means ‘rock-pile to remind us’, but Jacob gave the rock-pile the Hebrew name Galeed, which has the same meaning.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 31:47

Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: it refers to the pile of stones. For the English translation of the names, see the footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Some translations bring the explanation of the two names into the text by saying “Laban gave a name to the heap as a reminder in his language…, and his son-in-law gave a name to the heap as a reminder in his language….”

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 .