inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Gen 34:23)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.

complete verse (Genesis 34:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 34:23:

  • Newari: “If this happens will not all their cows, sheep and wealth be ours? So we should listen to what they have said, and keep them here.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If they will-live/settle here now, surely all of their livestock and possessions will- also -become ours. So let- us (incl.) just -agree now to their condition so-that they will-settle with us.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But if we do that, just think! Their livestock and their possessions and their other animals will become ours! So we should agree to do what they suggest, and then they will live among us!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 34:23

At this point Hamor asks a rhetorical question that assumes a positive response. In his conversation with Jacob and his sons, nothing was said about the Canaanites acquiring all of Jacob’s livestock, but Hamor knows that the pain of circumcision must be offset by some large gain.

Will not their cattle, their property and all their beasts be ours?: property translates a word used here for the first time in Genesis. It refers to all the things not included in cattle and beasts. Cattle refers here to livestock generally. Beasts does not add a separate class of animals but is a way of expressing the totality of these animals. Anchor Bible translates “… their livestock … —all their animals—….” Good News Translation includes everything in “all their livestock and everything else they own….” In some languages a reply to the rhetorical question is required: “Yes, they will all be ours.” In others the question is best expressed as a statement: “[And if we agree …] all their animals and everything else they have will be ours.”

Only let us agree with them: Only, as in verse 15, eliminates all other requirements. We may say, for example, “All we have to do is to agree to be circumcised.”

And they will dwell with us: as in verse 10.

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 .