Joseph

The term that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that relates to a) the coat he wore (see Gen 37:3), b) the holding of his clothes by Potiphar’s wife (see Gen 39:12), and c) the many times Joseph experienced grief. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Joseph” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joseph .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Genesis 37:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 37:31:

  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, they killed a goat and they dipped Jose’s long garment in its blood.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They killed a ram and soaked Joseph’s wide upper garment in its blood.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They killed a goat and they dipped the garment of Jose in blood.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Joseph’s brothers did not dare to tell their father what they had done. So, they decided to invent a story about what had happened. They got Joseph’s robe. Then they killed a goat and dipped the robe in the goat’s blood.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 37:31

The brothers do not consult with Reuben or discuss the matter. They act immediately to take care of their problem, which is: What happened to our brother? And how do we explain it to our father?

Then they took Joseph’s robe: this clause introduces the robe as the focal point of verses 31-33. Note that Good News Translation does not begin verse 31 in this way, as they took Joseph’s robe is understood by the act of dipping it in the blood.

Killed a goat: killed when applied to a domestic animal is often expressed by a special term such as “slaughtered” in English. Goat refers here to a ram or male goat.

Dipped the robe: it is not stated whether the blood was poured into a container before dipping the garment, or if the garment was dipped into the blood in the carcass of the goat. Dipped means that parts of the garment were put into the blood. Jacob was expected to draw the conclusion that the blood was his son’s.

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 .