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 37:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 37:1:

  • Kankanaey: “Plural Jacob continued to reside in Canaan which was the country of his father back then.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jacob was living in the land of Canaan where his fathers were living.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob stayed to dwell/lived in Canaan, which (was) the-place-where- his father -had- also -lived previously.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob continued to live in the Canaan region where his father had lived previously.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 37:1

Translators will notice that some versions link 37.1-2a with chapter 36, while others relate these words with chapter 37. Verse 2a says “These are the toledoth of Jacob.” Iftoledoth is taken to mean a genealogy or list of descendants, it cannot refer to the material that follows, since there is no genealogy in chapter 37. However, it can refer back to the list of descendants of Esau in chapter 36. Therefore those versions that understand it to refer back to chapter 36 place 37.1-2a with the end of chapter 36, and begin the new division at 37.2b (Anchor Bible, for example).

The Handbook considers 37.1-2a to refer not to a genealogy but to a “story,” “account,” or “history,” taking the word toledoth in the same sense as in 2.4a. See there for comments. Accordingly 37.1-2a is placed at the beginning of the new division, as referring to the story of Joseph and his brothers found in chapters 37–50.

Nevertheless there remains a problem in the opening of chapter 37. The setting of chapter 36 is Seir and Edom. Verse 1 of chapter 37, on the other hand, speaks of Jacob and Canaan, and then verse 2b turns to Joseph. This may create confusion for readers, since chapter 37 does not continue the story line from chapter 36. In 35.29 we read that Isaac had died and been buried (in Canaan) by Jacob and Esau. Because chapter 36 interrupts the story of Jacob, it may be necessary to re-establish the story line in 37.1 by saying, for example, “After Isaac had died, Jacob settled in Canaan … Here begins the story about Jacob’s family.”

Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings: in contrast to Esau, who had migrated to Seir, Jacob settled down and lived in Canaan. Of his father’s sojournings means “where his father lived as a foreigner.” For “sojourn” see comments on 12.10. In translation we may be able to say “in the land of Canaan, where his father [Isaac] lived as a foreigner.” If it is not possible to express the idea of living as a foreigner, it may be necessary to say simply “… where his father had lived.”

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 .