basket (Genesis 40)

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “basket” is translated in Newari as “bamboo basket.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

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 40:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 40:16:

  • Kankanaey: “When the leader of those who cooked bread heard the good meaning of the dream of his companion, he also said to Jose, ‘As for what I dreamed then, there were reportedly three baskets full of (lit. in-which-was-put) bread that I was-carrying-on-my-head.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because Joseph interpreted [lit.: told] the meaning of the dream in a good way the bread baker also said to him — ‘I have also had a dream.’ In the dream I was carrying three bamboo baskets of bread on my head.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the head of the one-who-bakes bread heard that the meaning of the dream(was) good, he too told his dream to Jose. He said, ‘I dreamed too that I carried-on-head three baskets with breads.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When the chief baker heard that the meaning of the dream of the king’s drink-server was very favorable, he said to Joseph, ‘I also had a dream. In the dream I was surprised to see three baskets of bread stacked on my head.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 40:16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable: that is, the interpretation of the wine servant’s dream. In many languages saw must be rendered as “heard”; for example, “when the head of the bakers heard the good interpretation….”

There were translates the Hebrew hinneh as in Gen 40.9.

Cake in the expression cake baskets translates a Hebrew word that may refer to a special kind of white bread. Baskets may mean “wicker baskets,” referring to a kind of basket woven from pliable twigs. The baskets were open on top, but only the uppermost basket was open for birds to eat from, as described in the next verse. Good News Translation has “breadbasket.”

The baskets are on the baker’s head, as that is the place an Egyptian would carry them. Note Good News Translation, “I was carrying them.” We are to understand that the three baskets are stacked one above the other.

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 .