complete verse (Genesis 44:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 44:6:

  • Kankanaey: “When the slave caught-up-with the siblings, he told them the-aforementioned that Jose had instructed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He went and met them and spoke to them like that.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The steward caught-up with the siblings/(brothers) and he spoke/told that to them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The servant left immediately and when he caught up with them, he told them what Joseph had told him to say.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 44:6

Spoke to them these words: these words are the ones Joseph told the steward. We may translate, for example, “He said to them what Joseph had told him to say.”

The brothers, who left the city feeling secure, are abruptly plunged into despair, hearing that they are accused of theft.

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 .