offering

The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”

In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)

See also offering (qorban).

brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), both “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (Genesis 32:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:13:

  • Kankanaey: “When it-was-finished that Jacob prayed, he-chose-some-of his animals that he would give to Esau,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “That night he stayed there. For his elder brother Esau he chose like this from the wealth that he had.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob and-company slept there during-the-night. In the morning, Jacob chose animals to-give-as-gift to Esau:” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob slept there that night. The next morning he selected some animals to give to his brother Esau.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:13

Note that Good News Translation places verse numbers 13-15 at this point in order to avoid any confusion from inserting numbers 14 and 15 into the list of numbered animals.

So he lodged there that night: for lodged see 24.23. The last place mentioned by name was the place of the encounter with the angels, Mahanaim in Gen 32.2. The text does not say that Jacob has moved from there. If it is essential for the coherence of the story, translators may say, for example, “Jacob spent the night in the place where he had prayed” or “… spent the night in one of the two camps.”

Took from what he had with him refers to selecting animals from the camp where he was located. In some languages it will be necessary to say “The next day he took….” Note Good News Translation and Revised English Bible “After spending the night there, Jacob chose….”

A present for his brother Esau: present translates a word used in 4.3 and translated “offering” by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. See there for comments. As a gift to a superior the word clearly suggests the idea of tribute, that is, a payment made by an inferior to a superior to obtain protection. See 2 Kgs 8.9. Verse 20 states that the gift is to appease Esau. Many languages have special names for such “gifts.”

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 .