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 word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Genesis 41:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:7:

  • Kankanaey: “And they ate-all-of those whose fruit was well-formed. Then the king again woke-up/got-up and come-to-find-out it was only a dream.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the seven thin heads of thin grain swallowed up the seven full heads of grain. Then Pharaoh awoke from [his] sleep. He realized that it had been a dream.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the lean/thin heads-of-grain ate up the seven good/full sheaves/heads-of-grain. Then the king woke up. He thought that (it was) true but (it was) only a dream [surprise-particle].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven ripe full heads. Then the king woke up. He realized that he had been dreaming.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:7

The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears: the image of grain eating grain is again from the strange and unreal world of dreams. If in translation it is not possible to speak of grain swallowing or eating grain, it may be possible to shift to a simile and say, for example, “Then the thin heads of grain made the seven healthy heads disappear, like a person eating food.”

And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream: that is, “When the king woke up he realized he had been dreaming.”

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 .