The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Reuben” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “head” or “leader” referring to the position he had among his brothers as the firstborn. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 42:37:
Kankanaey: “That being so, Ruben said to his father, ‘If I do not return Benjamin to you (sing.), go-ahead-then-and kill my two male children. As-long-as you (sing.) entrust-(him) to me, I will return-(him) just the same.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Reuben said — ‘Father, if I am not able to bring Benjamin back, kill my two sons. Please trust me. I will bring him back.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Reuben said, ‘Father, I’ll be the one to-be-responsible for Benjamin. Kill my two sons if I do- not -return him to you (sing.).'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Reuben said to his father, ‘I will be responsible for Benjamin. I will take him to Egypt and bring him back to you. Let me take care of him. If I do not bring Benjamin back to you, you may kill both of my sons.'” (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 to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God, the “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御 or み) can be used, as in mi-kao (御顔) or “face (of God)” in the referenced verses.
Then Reuben said …: Reuben as the oldest son attempts to assure his father that he will be responsible for getting Benjamin safely back to him. This verse consists of two parts. The first part is an “if” clause and a consequence: “If I do not bring … you may kill my two sons.” The second part is a request and a promise: “Put him [Benjamin] in my hands … I will bring him back to you.”
In some languages this verse will require considerable adjusting in translation. For example, we may need to say “Put Benjamin in my hands and I promise to return him to you. If I do not bring him back, you may kill my two sons.” Some translations put into words at the beginning of the verse the meaning that Reuben does not state directly: “I will take care of Benjamin.”
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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