bear child / give birth

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “bear (a child)” or “give birth to” is translated in Mairasi as “go to the forest,” reflecting the traditional place of childbirth for Mairasi women. (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

In Spanish it is translated as dar a luz, literally “to give to light.” Likewise, in Portuguese (dar à luz) and Italian (dare alla luce). (Source: Mark Terwilliger)

See also in childbirth / travail and birth.

Rachel

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Rachel” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies the eyelashes, referring to “beautiful eyes” as the opposite of Leah (see Genesis 29:17). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Rachel” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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 Leah.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Rachel .

complete verse (Genesis 35:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 35:16:

  • Newari: “They went from Bethel. When they had nearly reached Ephrath, Rachel started having birthpains.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, Jacob and his household left-from Betel. Raquel was- now -about-to-give-birth at-that-time. When they were still some-distance/[lit. a-little-far] from the town of Efrata, Raquel went-into-labor/[lit. had-pain].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob and his family left Bethel and traveled south toward Ephrath town. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to have severe childbirth pains.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 35:16

Then they journeyed from Bethel: Then translates the Hebrew connective, which may also be expressed as “After that,” or “Later.” They refers to Jacob and his people and may need to be expressed in this way. Journeyed means they left Bethel and were going to a new destination.

When they were still some distance from Ephrath is literally “there was still a stretch of land to go to Ephrath.” The distance from Bethel south to Ephrath (Bethlehem, according to verse 19) is about 28 kilometers (18 miles). We may translate, for example, “While they were still a short distance from Ephrath.” Ephrath is identified with Bethlehem in verse 19 and in 48.7. See also Ruth 4.11; Micah 5.2. However, in 1 Sam 10.2 the tomb is in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah.

Rachel travailed: travailed translates the form of the verb “to give birth” that means “she was beginning to give birth.” Revised English Bible says “Rachel was in labour,” New English Bible “Rachel went into labour.” In some languages this event is expressed as “began to have the pains of birth.”

And she had hard labor is in the Hebrew “and she had hard labor in her bearing [of the child].” See Good News Translation. We may also translate, for example, “and her labor [birth pains] was difficult” or “she had a difficult birth.”

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 .