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 36:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:8:

  • Newari: “So Esau went and settled in the land of Seir in the hills called Edom.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Esau (who (was) also called Edom) settled there in the mountains of Seir.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They went to live in the Seir hilly area.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:8

So Esau dwelt in the hill country of Seir: So in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation introduces a further consequence. Dwelt in this context suggests that Esau “went to live” or “made his home.” Hill country translates “on the mountain” and refers to the mountainous country of Seir.

Esau is Edom: see verse 1. Rather than adding this identification at the end of the verse, many translations fit it in to the sentence. For example, Bible en français courant says “It is thus that Esau, also called Edom, lived in the mountain of Seir.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “For this reason Esau, that is Edom, went to live in the mountainous region of Seir.”

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 .