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 35:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 35:6:

  • Newari: “Jacob arriving with his people, came to a place called Luz in the land of Canaan. Nowdays this place is called Bethel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob and his companions arrived at Luz (also being-called Betel) there in Canaan.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob and all those who were with him came to Luz, which is now called Bethel, in the Canaan region.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 35:6

And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel): the opening of verse 6 may require a transition such as “Later” or “In a few days.” For Luz and its relation to Bethel, see comments on 28.19. In that verse it was explained that the older name of the place was Luz or, as Good News Translation says, “Luz, which is now known as Bethel.” This is a good translation model.

Which is in the land of Canaan: land may be translated “country” or “region.” There may be a problem here in some languages, because this clause is taken to mean that the destination Bethel is in a different country or region from Shechem, where the journey starts. If this is the case translators may have to say something like “… also in the region of Canaan” or “… still within the country of Canaan.”

Since there are three place names together here, some adjustments may be required to link them in a meaningful way. We may say, for example, “He arrived in the place called Luz, also called Bethel, in the region of Canaan” or “… to the place called Luz in the country of Canaan. That place has another name now, Bethel.”

He and all the people who were with him: this clause may need to be shifted forward to the beginning of the verse. For example, “Jacob and his people came….”

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 .