Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jacob” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign signifying Jacob grabbing the heel of Esau during their birth (referring to Genesis 25:26). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia )


“Jacob” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Esau.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jacob .

complete verse (Genesis 46:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 46:26:

  • Kankanaey: “The number of his offspring/descendants who went-along to Egipto, it was sixty and six, excluding the spouses of his children.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Aside from the daughters-in-law, just his offspring who went with Jacob to Egypt were sixty-six [people] all together.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The total-number of the children and grandchildren of Jacob who went to Egipto was 66 (in)-all, and not including the wives of his children.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Altogether there were 66 people who were Jacob’s descendants who went to Egypt with him. That number does not include his sons’ wives.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 46:26

All the persons belonging to Jacob … who were his own offspring: that is, “The members of Jacob’s family who were his direct descendants and who came with him to Egypt.” “Direct descendants” may also be expressed as “his sons and those born to his sons and to his grandsons” or “all those who were of his own blood.”

Not including Jacob’s sons’ wives: these women would be excluded by the previous statement, as they were not “his own offspring.” Rather than omit this statement, some may find it clearer to say, for example, “In addition to these there were also his sons’ wives,” or “This does not include the wives of Jacob’s sons,” or “The wives of Jacob’s sons are not counted….”

Were sixty-six persons in all: for possible explanations of this number, see the introduction to this subdivision.

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 .