14But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
The Greek and Hebrew that is typically translated as “(to the) right hand of” is often translated much more descriptively in other languages. In Yakan it is translated as “at the right side, here in the greatest/most important/most honored place/seat,” in Mezquital Otomi as “the right hand, at the place of honor,” in Chuj as “exalted at the right hand,” in Chichimeca-Jonaz as “in a high place there at the right,” in Lalana Chinantec as “make great,” in Isthmus Mixe as “given great authority,” in Morelos Nahuatl as “placed big” or “heart-strengthens me,” in Isthmus Mixe as “stays with me,” (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August, 1966, p. 86ff), and in Teutila Cuicatec as “in all authority at the right side” (source: Ronald D. Olson in Notes on Translation January, 1968, p. 15ff.).
In Lamnso’, the seat on the right-hand side signifies that the person seated there would have a higher position than the one to his left (vs. just being a seat of honor). To circumvent any misunderstanding of the biblical text, the translation here refers to the “highest seat next to God.” (Source: Karl Grebe in Holzhausen 1991, p. 52)
(Note that in Elhomwe the idiom “I see you through the left hand” stands for “useless.” [Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext])
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 48:14:
Kankanaey: “But Jacob crossed- his hands -in-opposite-directions and the right-hand is what he placed on Efraim the younger-sibling and his left-hand on Manasses the older-sibling.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “But Israel took his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, and he put his left hand on the head of Manasseh, even though he was the older one.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “But Israel laid his right hand on the head of Efraim who was the younger-one, and he laid his left hand on the head of Manase who was the older-one.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “But Jacob did not do what Joseph wanted him to do. Instead, he reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, even though he was the younger son. He crossed his arms and put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the older son.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
In spite of Joseph’s careful arrangement of the boys, Jacob has clearly decided that Ephraim is to be given preference over his older brother.
Crossing his hands: Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew clause order, which makes this statement a summary of what Jacob does. Note that Good News Translation and others give this information as the principal action following a contrasting connector: “But Jacob crossed his hands and….” What Jacob does is contrary to Joseph’s expectations.
For Manasseh was the first-born: that is, “although [or, in spite of the fact that] Manasseh was the older brother.”
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.