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 40:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 40:6:

  • Kankanaey: “When it was light (i.e. the next day), Jose went to their location. He saw that they were worried” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In the morning, when Joseph came, [he] saw that they looked dejected.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In-the-morning, when Jose went to them, he saw that they were weak.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The next morning, when Joseph came to them, he saw that both of them were dejected/worried.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 40:6

When Joseph came … saw them: Joseph came to the two officials to serve them and to wait on them, as he was ordered to do by the captain of the guard in Gen 40.4. In translation it may be necessary to make clear the purpose of Joseph’s coming to the officials; for example, “The next morning when Joseph came in to wait on them.”

They were troubled is literally “behold they were troubled,” in which hinneh “behold” expresses surprise on the part of Joseph. It suggests that Joseph had never seen them this way before. Troubled translates a word meaning “dejected,” “sad,” “worried,” or as Revised English Bible says, “dispirited.” Two translation examples are “their faces were very sad” and “they-two had a big worry.” In some languages this state of mind is best expressed figuratively; for example, “having a weak heart,” “having their strength melted away,” “keeping their eyes on the ground,” “their insides were heavy.”

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 .