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)
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)
In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:44:
Kankanaey: “He also said to him, ‘I am still king, but it is nevertheless true that nobody/nothing will move if you (sing.) do not give-permission.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Then he said to him — ‘Even though I am Pharaoh, no one in the land of Egypt will get to do anything without your command.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The king also said to Jose, ‘I (am) the king here in Egipto, but if you (sing.) will- not -allow-(whatever) no one can-do whatever here in Egipto.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “The king said to Joseph, ‘I am the king, but no one in the whole land of Egypt will do anything if you do not permit them to do it.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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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 choice of a second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used anata (あなた) is typically used when the speaker is humbly addressing another person.
In these verses, however, omae (おまえ) is used, a cruder second person pronoun, that Jesus for instance chooses when chiding his disciples. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
I am Pharaoh: this statement appears to emphasize the authority given to Joseph in the next clause. Therefore the sense is “Although I am the king, no one shall do anything without your permission.”
No man shall lift up hand or foot: this figurative expression is used to emphasize and make vivid that no one can undertake anything without Joseph’s permission. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “no one in all Egypt shall move a finger without your permission,” Bible en français courant “… move the little finger.” Translators should use whatever expression means to do the least activity possible. Another way of expressing the idea is to say “Before they do anything they must get your permission.”
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 .
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