interpreter

The Hebrew in Genesis 42:23 that is translated as “interpreter” in English is translated in Low German as “an intermediator who spoke both languages” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).

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 42:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 42:23:

  • Kankanaey: “They said that because they did not (empathy particle) know that Jose understood their speech, because starting-from their arrival there, there-was someone whom Jose had called to interpret.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Joseph understood what they were saying. Since an interpreter had been put between them, they did not realize that he understood their language.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They did- not -know that Jose could-understand what they were-talking-about because when he spoke to them he had an interpreter.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “While they were talking with Joseph, they were speaking through an interpreter/someone who knew their language and the Egyptian language, but when they said these things among themselves, they were speaking in their own language, and they did not know that Joseph could understand their language, and that he could understand what they were saying.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 42:23

They did not know that Joseph understood them: that is, “The brothers did not know that Joseph understood what they were saying among themselves.” Some translations say “They did not know that Joseph understood their language” or “The brothers spoke in Hebrew and didn’t know that Joseph understood, because he spoke Egyptian and an interpreter….”

For there was an interpreter between them: this clause gives the reason why the brothers assumed that Joseph did not understand their language. Interpreter, which is used only here in the Old Testament, is based on a verb meaning “to be a spokesman.” Between them means that they were speaking to Joseph “through” or “by means of” an interpreter. In some languages interpreter is expressed as “word man,” “man of tongues,” or “he who turns their talk over.”

In translation it may be more natural to begin with the cause and say, for example, “Joseph was speaking to them through an interpreter, and so they did not think he understood what they had been saying.”

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 .