complete verse (Genesis 41:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:36:

  • Kankanaey: “Because if you (sing.) do that, we will have a reserve (loan reserba) of food and no one will be go-hungry when the seven years of famine arrive,’ said Jose.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “This harvest can be collected to use in the seven-year famine which is about to take place in Egypt. By doing this it will not be the case that people will have nothing to eat even during time of famine.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “That food will-be-reserved for the people when the seven years of famine now arrives in Egipto, so-that they will- not -be-hungry.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “This grain should be stored so that it can be eaten during the seven years when there will be a famine here in Egypt, so that the people in this country will not die from hunger.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:36

That food shall be a reserve: That food refers to the grain that has been stored and saved up to be eaten during the years of famine.

For the land means for the country as a whole or for the people of Egypt.

Against the seven years of famine: that is, “for when the seven years of famine come.”

So that the land may not perish through the famine: that is, “so the people will not die from starvation” or “so that the people will not starve to death.”

We may render verse 36, for example, “All of that produce will be saved up for the people of this country so they will have it when the seven years of famine come, and in this way the people will not starve.”

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 .