Jacob and the angel

Hand colored stencil print on washi by Sadao Watanabe (1970).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe. For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

The following artwork is part of a series of 56 paintings on biblical themes by Kazakh artist Nelly Bube (born 1949):

Copyright by Norwegian Bible Society , used with permission.

For other images of Nelly Bube in TIPs, see here.

The following is a stained glass window in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chiang Mai, Thailand:

Photo by Jost Zetzsche

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

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 32:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:27:

  • Kankanaey: “‘What is your (sing.) name?’ the man said. ‘Jacob,’ he answered.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then that man asked — ‘What is your name?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The person asked him, ‘What/[lit. Who] is your (sing.) name?’ He replied, ‘Jacob.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The man said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘Jacob.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:27

Said to him must often be expressed as “asked Jacob.”

What is your name?: the contrast between this straightforward question and that used by Jacob in verse 29 shows that Jacob’s status is inferior to that of his opponent.

Jacob: it should be remembered that the name Jacob sounds like the Hebrew word for “cheat.” See 27.36. Jacob’s reply to the question may need to be answered in a style that is both natural in the language and suitable for the situation. That situation is that Jacob has realized that he is dealing with a superior being; but at the same time he is still holding that person in his grip. In some languages the bare name Jacob may be unnatural or impolite, so the style of Jacob’s reply may be “They call me Jacob,” “I am Jacob, sir [great one],” or “I am your servant Jacob.”

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 .