16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.”
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 Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Benjamin” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wolf,” referring to Genesis 49:27. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:16:
Kankanaey: “When Jose saw that Benjamin was-there, he said to the slave who was-in-charge-of his house, ‘Escort these-ones to my house and butcher an animal that we (excl.) will-eat-for-viand, because they will join- me -in-eating-the-noon-meal (lit. join-in-twelve-o’clocking).'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Seeing Benjamin, Joseph said to the chief worker in his house said — ‘Bring them into my house. And prepare a feast. Today at noon, they will eat with me.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When Jose saw that Benjamin was with them, he commanded his steward, ‘Take these people to the house. [You (sing.)] slaughter an animal and cook-(it), for they will-have-lunch with me.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the man who was in charge of/supervised things in his house, ‘Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare a meal, because I want them to eat with me at noon.’ And he told him in what order they were to be seated.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them: Joseph recognized Benjamin and is assured thereby that his brother is alive. Therefore he makes preparations to receive them at his own house.
Steward of his house: steward in relation to a house and family refers to a person who is in charge of the servants and has the oversight or administration of the master’s house. According to 39.4 Joseph held this position in Potiphar’s house. The Hebrew expression is “the one over his house.”
Bring the men into the house: that is, “Take these men to my house.”
Slaughter an animal and make ready: slaughter normally means to kill an animal and prepare the meat for food. The context makes clear what the meat is to be used for. Accordingly many translations say “kill,” which is used in Good News Translation, Revised English Bible. The Hebrew expression is literally “Slaughter a slaughtering” and does not indicate what animal is to be killed. In some languages there is no general word for animal, and so a particular animal such as “goat” is named. Make ready refers to preparing the meat for the meal.
For the men are to dine with me at noon: this clause gives the reason for Joseph’s orders that the steward kill the animal. Dine with me means “eat a meal with me.” In many societies there is no meal taken at noon, and since the time of the meal is not an essential part of the story, it may be necessary sometimes to say “These men are to have a meal with me when I come home.”
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.