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 41:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:33:

  • Kankanaey: “‘Therefore what you (sing.) ought to do sir, look-for a thoughtful and intelligent/wise person so-that he will-be-in-charge-of this country.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So now let the Great King choose a person who has insight and understand what needs to be done, and give [him] responsibility for the land of Egypt.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘So now, Beloved King, you (sing.) should choose a wise man in-order to rule in the land of Egipto.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Now I suggest that you should choose a man who is wise and can make good decisions. I suggest that you appoint him to direct the affairs of the whole country.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("place")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, ok-are-ru (置かれる) or “place” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:33

Joseph concludes his explanation of the king’s dream by proposing a practical way for providing for the years of famine. He would store up grain during the seven years of plenty. The first step to be taken to carry out this plan is to choose someone capable of organizing and administering the project.

Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man discreet and wise: Now therefore shifts Joseph’s speech from the interpretation to a concrete proposal; this introduction of a proposal may be expressed as “With this in mind you should…” or “So I advise you….” In one situation where it is acceptable for people to speak their minds to their leaders, the translation says “Well, you listen to me now, king:….” Select is literally “look for.” Discreet translates a word meaning intelligent, having understanding or insight. This person should also be wise, that is, have knowledge and sound judgment.

Let Pharaoh …: Joseph’s advice to the king is given as a series of third person imperatives. In many languages this will be much more natural if expressed in the second person, as in Good News Translation “you should choose….”

Set him over the land of Egypt: that is, “place him in charge of the country,” or “give him the power to rule….”

We may translate verse 33, for example, “So, your majesty, you should choose an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the whole country.”

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 .