basket (Genesis 40)

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

Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was used by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Genesis 40:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 40:17:

  • Kankanaey: “The one on top (lit. owner of above), it was full of all kinds of bread for the king. Whereupon there-were surprisingly birds who were eating that bread.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In the uppermost bamboo basket were various kinds of bread for Pharaoh. Winged birds came and were eating bread from the bamboo basket on top of my head.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In the very top basket there-were inside different kinds of bread for the king of Egipto, but the birds (were) pecking it.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “In the top basket there were many kinds of baked goods for the king, but birds were eating them from the top basket that was on my head!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 40:17

And in the uppermost basket: that is “in the top basket.” The contents of this basket was exposed to the birds.

All sorts of baked food for Pharaoh is literally “some from all the food of Pharaoh the work of a baker.” We may translate “In the top basket were all kinds of bread and pastries for the king” or “… all kinds of things from the bakery that the king liked.” The range of foods referred to is wider than those that may be called “bread” in English; however, the term for “bread” in some other languages is more general than in English, and so it may be suitable in this context. If the language has no suitable equivalent word, we may say, for example, “all kinds of baked goods.”

But the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head: something being taken away from the baker’s head is a bad omen in his dream.

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 .