Esau

The name that is transliterated as “Esau” in English means “covered with hair,” “hairy.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “hairy forearm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm, Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Esau” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

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 hairy (like Esau).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esau .

complete verse (Genesis 36:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:14:

  • Newari: “Here are the sons of Esau which he had from Oholibamah, daughter of Anah and grand daughter of Zibeon — Jeush, Jaam and Korah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The child of Esau with Oholibama (were) Jeush, Jalam and Kora. (Oholibama (was) the child of Ana and grandchild of Zibeon).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Esau’s wife Oholibamah, who was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, gave birth to three sons: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:14

These are the sons of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the son of Zibeon: These points forward to the names of Oholibamah’s three sons who are listed in verse 5 and again in verse 18 as chiefs. No grandsons of Oholibamah are mentioned. Note that the expression Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the son of Zibeon is the same as in Gen 36.2. Translators should treat the expression the same way in both verses.

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 .