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 .

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 41:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:14:

  • Kankanaey: “When the king heard that-aforementioned which the drink-server had said, he caused- Jose -to-be-called and they hurried to go release-him from the prison. When he then had-gotten-a-haircut and changed-clothes, he entered to the location of the king.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hearing this, Pharaoh quickly sent to get Joseph. Then he [cut his] hair and shaved [his] beard, changed [his] clothes and came to stand before Pharaoh.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So the king caused-to-be-called Jose, and he had- him -gotten-out quickly from prison. After he had-(his)-hair-cut and had-shaved, he changed (his-clothes) and came/went to the king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When the king heard that, he told some servants to bring Joseph to him, and they quickly brought Joseph out of the prison. Joseph shaved and put on better clothes, and then he went and stood in front of the king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:14

The king does not reply to the wine servant’s speech but immediately arranges to have Joseph brought to him.

For sent and called see Gen 41.8.

They brought him hastily out of the dungeon: Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew active construction. They does not refer back to any noun, however; and languages that cannot follow this model may need to replace they with a noun phrase such as “the king’s men,” “the king’s messengers,” or “the king’s soldiers.” For dungeon see 40.15.

When he had shaved himself and changed his clothes: he refers to Joseph, who must prepare himself to appear before the king. See the similar case of Jehoiachin in 2 Kgs 25.29. The Hebrew verb shaved means both to shave (the face) and to cut the hair (of the head). Some interpret the form of the verb to mean here “cut his hair.” See Speiser, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch. However, most English versions translate as do Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Driver comments: “The Egyptians shaved both their heads and their faces (though they wore on important occasions artificial hair and beards): on the monuments, only foreigners, and natives of inferior rank, are represented as growing beards.” If the translator chooses “cut the hair,” it may be necessary to say “they cut his hair.”

A literal translation of changed his clothes may not carry the right sense. He had to remove his prison clothing and put on clothing that was acceptable for standing before the king.

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 .