13Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them near him.
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 “Manasseh” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “bull” referring to Deuteronomy 33:17. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ephraim” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “palm tree” referring to the palm of Deborah in the land of Ephraim (see Judges 4:5. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 48:13:
Kankanaey: “Then Jose took- them -by-the-hand and brought-them-close to Jacob. His right-hand toward Efraim so-that he would-be-opposite the left-hand of Jacob and his left-hand toward Manasses so-that he would-be-opposite his father’s right-hand.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Joseph got up, and causing his son Ephraim to be situated on Israel’s left and Manasseh on [his] right, he brought [them] before [him].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Then he had- his children -come-closer again to their grandfather so-that they would-be-blessed. Efraim (was) on the right side of Jose, that-is on the left side of Israel; and Manase (was) on the left side of Jose, that-is on the right side of Israel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Joseph took both of the boys, putting Ephraim on his right side toward Jacob’s left hand, and putting Manasseh on his left side toward Jacob’s right hand, and brought them close to Jacob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Verses 13-20 describe a new scene that has no introduction. In it we see how Ephraim is given the primary blessing. Verse 13 follows directly on verse 10a. The purpose of verses 13-20 is expressed at the conclusion of this scene in verse 20: “Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.”
Ephraim in his right hand … Israel’s left: while Jacob sits on the side of his bed, Joseph places Ephraim on his own right side and Manasseh on his own left—so that as they approach Jacob, Ephraim will be on Jacob’s left and Manasseh on Jacob’s right. Joseph arranges the boys in this way so that the nearly blind grandfather will not be confused.
Brought them near him: that is, Joseph brought them close to Jacob so that he could easily touch them.
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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