defile

The Hebrew that is translated as “defile” or similar in English is translated in Zaramo as “bring shame.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, 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 )

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 34:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 34:13:

  • Newari: “Because Shechem had harmed their younger sister Dinah the sons of Jacob gave answer, scheming to trap Shechem and Hamor.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But because Shekem defiled the character/[lit. being/person] of Dina, the children of Jacob deceived Shekem and his father Hamor.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But because Shechem had done a shameful thing to their sister Dinah, the sons of Jacob deceived Shechem and his father Hamor” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 34:13

From verse 13 the initiative in the negotiations passes to Jacob’s sons.

The sons of Jacob answered … deceitfully: answered is used here in the sense of “reply” or “respond to” Shechem’s generous offer in verse 12. Deceitfully is often expressed in figurative terms; for example, “to speak with two tongues,” “to cover the eyes with lies,” “to cause someone to take the wrong path.” We may translate with such a figure; for example, “The sons of Jacob spoke with two tongues when they replied to Shechem.”

Because he had defiled their sister Dinah: for defiled see verse 5. In some languages the reason clause must come before the result clause. In these cases we may translate verse 13, for example, “Shechem had caused Dinah to suffer shame, and so Jacob’s sons spoke with two tongues when they replied to Shechem and his father Hamor.” Since the speech of the brothers does not begin until the next verse, some translations focus the content of this verse on their thinking; for example, “The sons of Jacob were thinking about the bad thing that Shechem had done to their sister Dinah. So they made up their minds to deceive Shechem and his father Hamor, (14) and they said, ….”

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 .