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 41:37)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:37:

  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, the king and the rulers/officials of the country approved-of that plan of Jose’s” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Pharaoh and all the officials like this plan.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The king and his officials were-pleased with the plan of Jose.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The king and his officials thought that this would be a good plan.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:37

This proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants: proposal translates a Hebrew term for “word” or “matter,” and in this context it refers to the plan Joseph had set out to save Egypt during the coming famine. Seemed good to is literally “was good in the eyes of.” Servants refers to the king’s officials, highly placed civil servants, and court officials.

In translation This proposal seemed good to … may be rendered in a number of ways; some examples from the Pacific area are “The king and all his servants admired this idea”; “The king and all his officers heard this talk of Joseph’s and they agreed to it”; “The king and his senior officials said to each other, ‘That is a good idea of Joseph’s.’”

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 .