Hamor

The name that is transliterated as “Hamor” in English means “ass / donkey.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that depicts “circumcision” (see the story starting with Genesis 34:13) and U as a replacement for the initial H. (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Hamor” in Libras (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

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 34:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 34:6:

  • Newari: “Just at that time, Hamor, father of Shechem came to Jacob to talk about the matter.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Hamor the father of Shekem went to Jacob in-order-to talk-together with him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “In the meantime, Shechem’s father Hamor went to talk with Jacob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 34:6

Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob …: verse 6 interrupts the action between the end of verse 5 and the beginning of Gen 34.7. Some English versions therefore begin verse 6 with a transition word like “Meanwhile.” Verse 6 really follows the thought of verse 4; and in some languages the sequence of events may require that it is placed immediately after Gen 34.4. See also the comments at Gen 34.7.

Verse 6 does not say that Hamor’s son Shechem accompanied his father, but we learn in verse 11 that Shechem is also present in these negotiations. If the discourse structure of the language requires the introduction of each speaker, it may be necessary to say in this verse that Shechem accompanied his father. For example, we may need to say “Hamor, the father of Shechem, took his son and went to speak with Jacob.” See the comment on Shechem in verse 11. Went out renders the same verb as in verse 1, where Dinah went in the other direction to visit the local women.

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 .