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 .

complete verse (Genesis 41:54)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:54:

  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, what Jose prophesied came-true. When the seven years with good crops were finished, seven years of famine took-their-place. There was also famine in the other collective-countries, but in Egipto by-contrast, food was still in-excess.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And like Joseph had said the seven years of famine began. There was famine in all places. In Egypt, however, there was grain in all places.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “and now began the seven years of famine/hunger like Jose had-said. There (was) also famine in other places but there-was food on-the-other-hand in all of Egipto.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the seven years of famine started, just as Joseph had predicted. There was also a famine in all the other nearby lands, but although the crops did not grow, there was food everywhere in Egypt, because of the grain they had stored up in the cities.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:53 - 41:54

That prevailed … came to an end: that is, “The seven years of good crops came to an end.” We may also translate verse 53 as a “when” clause; for example, “When the seven years of good crops had come to an end, then the seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said they would.”

There was famine in all lands; but in … there was bread: that is, “There was famine in every country except in Egypt, where there was food.”

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 .