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 39:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 39:7:

  • Kankanaey: “Therefore it was not long before (lit. and) Potifar’s spouse craved him and said, ‘Let’s (dual) sleep-together.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Some time later his master’s wife longed for [lit.: put eye] and said to him — ‘Come sleep with me.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Sometime later, the wife of his master wanted/liked him. She invited Jose to-lay-with her.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Because of that, after a while, his master’s wife started to look fondly at Joseph. So one day she said to him, ‘Have sex with me!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 39:7

Cast her eyes upon Joseph is literally “lifted up her eyes at Joseph.” Potiphar’s wife is not pictured in this story as being in a harem, and no other wife is mentioned. She appears to be free to do as she pleases. The servants of the household would be expected to avoid eye contact with their master’s wife. She, however, does not appear to be under any similar restriction. She has had time to observe Joseph and, as Good News Translation says, she “began to desire Joseph.” Revised English Bible says she “became infatuated,” New American Bible “began to look fondly at.” All of these are adequate models. In some languages there are idiomatic ways of talking about how men and women look at each other; one example in this context is “she had desirous eyes for Joseph.”

Lie with me: we must remember that the woman is speaking to a foreign slave whom her husband has purchased. She is in a position to order him to do anything she wants. In translation the expression should be a command to have sexual relations, but may need to be expressed in an indirect way, as it is in the Hebrew and Revised Standard Version. Revised English Bible says it well in English: “Come, make love to me.”

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 .