complete verse (Genesis 36:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:17:

  • Newari: “The sons of Reuel, son of Esau — Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah, clan heads of the family. These are leaders from Reuel in the land of Edom. These are grandchildren from Basemath, Esau’s wife.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The children of Reuel who (were) Nahat, Zera, Shama, and Miza also became leaders of Edom. They (were) grandchildren of Esau with Basemat.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The sons of Esau’s son Reuel were ancestors of the Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah people-groups. They were descended from Esau’s wife Basemath. They also lived in Edom.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:17

Verse 17 lists the sons of Reuel as his clan descendants. We may restructure this also to say, for example, “The ancestor of the clans called Nahath, Zera, Shammah, and Mizzah was Reuel. Reuel’s father was Esau, and his mother was Basemath.”

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 .