Jacob

The name that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English means “he will supplant,” “he that follows after,” “a heeler,” “one who trips up,” “takes hold by the land.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It 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 .

Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was used by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Genesis 46:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 46:5:

  • Kankanaey: “When it was light, Jacob set-out from Beerseba. His children had- him and the mothers-and-children -ride in the horse-drawn-carriages that the king in Egipto had sent.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that Jacob went from Beersheba. His sons put him, his children and [his] wives in the large carts that Pharaoh had sent.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob had- his children -ride in the cart/wagon that was-given by the king of Egipto for him to ride-in. They also had- their wives and children -ride, and they left there at Beersheba.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob left Beersheba, and his sons took their father, their wives, and their children, in the carts that the king had sent for them to travel in.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 46:5

Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba: Then, which translates the Hebrew connective, is a transition from the encounter with God at Beersheba to the trip to Egypt. If a term like Then showing subsequent action is insufficient, we may say, for example, “After God had spoken to him, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled [west] to Egypt.” A number of translations, however, take the connective to indicate a consequence: Jacob set out because God had reassured him. Anchor Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Revised English Bible all say “So Jacob set out.”

The sons of Israel carried Jacob … wagons: carried translates a verb meaning to “lift” or “carry.” However, it is the wagons and not Jacob’s sons that carry (transport) these people. We may say, for example, “Jacob’s sons loaded Jacob, their wives, and small children” or “Jacob’s sons made … ride in the wagons.” Some translations say simply “took their father…” (New International Version).

Which Pharaoh had sent to carry him: that is, “which the king of Egypt had sent for them to ride in.”

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 .