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 39:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 39:6:

  • Kankanaey: “Since Potifar entrusted to Jose all his possessions, there-was nothing that he needed to keep-thinking-about except food. But-then Jose was also handsome and his body was well-formed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So he released all responsibility to Joseph. He now had no concerns [about anything] except about what he would eat and drink.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Potifar entrusted all to Jose and he no-longer concerned-(himself)-about anything except only his food. Jose (was) handsome and had a healthy body.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Potiphar allowed Joseph to take care of everything that he owned. Potiphar needed to decide only about the food he ate. He was not concerned about anything else in his house. Joseph was well-built/muscular and handsome.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 39:6

So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge is literally “He left everything he had in Joseph’s hand.” This may often be rendered “He trusted Joseph to look after [take care of] everything he owned.”

And having him he had no concern for anything but the food which he ate: this may be rendered, for example, “Potiphar did not have to trouble himself with anything except the food he ate.” Interpreters understand but the food which he ate in three ways:
(1) as referring to his private sexual life,
(2) as referring to his private affairs generally,
(3) as referring to religious regulations concerning the preparation of food, which he could not entrust to a foreigner.

See 43.32. It is in this last sense that we are probably to understand this expression.

It is possible to restructure this verse by changing the order of the clauses; one example of this restructuring is “Potiphar now had an easy job. He didn’t have to worry about anything in his household, because he put Joseph in charge; the only thing he had to think about was his food.”

Now Joseph was handsome and good-looking: Now is again used by Revised Standard Version to introduce a new episode. Note Good News Translation. For handsome and good-looking the Hebrew says literally “fair of form and fair of face.” The same expression is used in 29.17, where Rachel’s beauty is described. Here the wording should be suitable for describing a man. Note Good News Translation “well-built and good-looking.”

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 .