complete verse (Genesis 4:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 4:21:

  • Kankanaey: “Jubal was the younger-sibling of Jabal who had-as-descendants those who play guitars and nose-flute.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “His younger brother’s name was Jubal. He is the ancestor of those who play the lyre and the flute.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jabal had a male sibling/(brother) whose name was Jubal, who is the ancestor/progenitor of all who play harp and flute.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Later, Jabal was the first person who lived in tents because he traveled from place to place to take care of livestock. His younger brother’s name was Jubal. He was the first person who made/played a lyre/stringed instrument and a flute.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 4:21

His brother’s name: brother refers to a younger brother from the same mother. For languages in which the word “brother” can also include people in other relationships, it may be necessary to say something like “true [younger] brother.”

Father of all those means the one who originated, or the one who began, or who was “the very first one to play….” Lyre refers to a small stringed instrument of rectangular shape whose strings are all of the same length. The strings are plucked with the fingers as for the harp. Pipe, which is often translated “flute,” refers to a wind instrument made of reed, metal, wood, or ivory. These two instruments are mentioned together in Job 21.12; 30.31; Psa 150.4.

Lyre is translated “harp” by Good News Translation and others. However, it may be rendered by a term for a local stringed instrument such as the guitar. Pipe is often translated by the term for the local flute or other wind instrument; for instance, the term “bamboo” is used in some parts of the world. In the absence of any such instruments, it is possible to say, “The man who invented musical instruments,” “the first person to play music…,” or “the ancestor of those who are experts in playing music.”

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 .