Jacob

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)


“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 31:51)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 31:51:

  • Newari: “He said — ‘I have put here between you and me a rock pillar and a heap of stones.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Laban yet again spoke to Jacob, ‘Here is the piled-up stones and the stone which (is) a remembrance that will-testify-to our (incl.) agreement.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Laban also said to Jacob, ‘You see this large stone and this pile of rocks that we have set up to be between us.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 31:51

Then Laban said to Jacob: this statement may seem odd in that Laban has been the speaker since verse 48. We may translate it “Laban also said to Jacob” or “Laban went on talking to Jacob.” Note that Good News Translation translates without identifying Laban as the speaker again here in verse 51.

See this heap and the pillar: See functions to call Jacob’s attention to the pile of stones and the pillar. We may say “Look at….” See also Good News Translation “Here are the….”

Which … me: in Revised Standard Version Laban appears to be the one who set up the pillar and the heap. Good News Translation‘s rendering makes Laban responsible for the heap and leaves it possible that Jacob could have set up the memorial stone, as is stated in verse 45: “Here are the rocks that I have piled up between us, and here is the memorial stone.” Good News Translation thus gives a good model to follow.

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 .