Canaan

The term that is transliterated as “Canaan” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign loosely referencing the act of hiding/covering one’s face in shame. The association of “shame” with the name “Canaan” comes from Genesis 9, specifically verse 9:25. This sign was adapted from a similar sign in Kenyan Sign Language (see here). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Canaan” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Canaan in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

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 33:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 33:18:

  • Newari: “Having come from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived peacefully near a city called Shechem of Canaan. He set up his tent there outside the city.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Later-on they finally/[emphasis marker] were-able-to-reach Canaan from Padan Aram wherewith/[Linker] nothing bad had-happened to them. They reached the city where Shekem was-residing. They erected/[lit. caused-to-stand] their tents near the city.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Some time later, Jacob and his family left Paddan-Aram in Mesopotamia, and they traveled safely to the Canaan region. There they set up their tents in a field near Shechem city.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 33:18

There are two problems in regard to verse 18. The first is Jacob’s arrival in Shechem with apparently no clear linkage with verse 17. The second is the order of his movements in verses 17-20. Interpreters point out that verses 18-20 have been added to the story that concluded with verse 17. Be that as it may, translators are faced with the task of keeping the text together.

Translators use various means to cope with these problems. For example, Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction oecuménique de la Bible insert a heading before verse 18 so that 18-20 are handled as a separate unit. New Jerusalem Bible on the other hand leaves extra blank space between verses 17 and 18 to indicate a break in the narrative. The beginning of verse 18 seems to have the function of drawing the whole narrative of Jacob’s journey from Mesopotamia (chapters 31–33) to a close. Thus it does have a link with the previous verses; and translators are advised to maintain this. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch links verse 18 to verse 17 by saying “Finally, Jacob arrived safely in Shechem….” The Handbook recommends this as a suitable model.

And Jacob came safely: safely translates the Hebrew “in peace.” For a similar expression see 28.21, in which Jacob made a vow, “If … I come to my father’s house in peace….” In English we may say, for example, “safe and sound,” and in some other languages “whole and at peace” or “strong and of good heart.”

City of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan: the first reference to Shechem is in 12.6. Shechem lies 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Jerusalem.

On his way from Paddan-aram: it will often be necessary to restructure parts of the verse to fit in this clause. For example, some translators place this information at the opening of the verse. See Good News Translation. However, if a linkage is required at the opening of verse 18, it may be necessary to say, for example, “Later Jacob arrived safely in the city in Canaan called Shechem. This was when he was returning from Mesopotamia.” On his way from is literally “in his coming from,” which is best expressed as “on his return from” or “when [or, after] he came back from.” We may even say “The end of Jacob’s journey from Mesopotamia was when he arrived safely at Shechem…” or “The story of Jacob’s journey from Mesopotamia ends with him arriving safely at Shechem….” Revised Standard Version on his way gives the impression that Shechem was just a stopping point on a journey that would soon be continued; but this is not the sense of the text.

Camped before the city: camped means “pitched his tents.” Before may mean in this situation “to the east,” as he is approaching Shechem from that direction. This is followed by Revised English Bible/New English Bible, Moffatt. Other translations are more general with “facing,” “near,” “opposite,” “in sight of.”

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 .