bed

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “bed” or similar in English is translated in Noongar as maya-ngwoorndiny or “bark sleeping” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

See also mat, bed.

Joseph

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)


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joseph .

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

respectful form of "come" (omie ni naru)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of lexical honorific forms, i.e., completely different words, as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

In these verses, omie ni naru (お見えになる), a respectful form of kuru (来る) or “come” is used. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

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 48:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 48:2:

  • Kankanaey: “When it-was-made-known to Jacob that Jose his child had arrived, he put-himself-to-the-hardship of getting-up-from/sitting-up-in his bed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Someone told Jacob that his son Joseph had come to meet him. Being very sick [lit. unwell unwell] he got up and sat down on the bed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Jacob was-told that his child Jose had-arrived, he tried to-sit on his thing-to-lay-down-on.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When someone told Jacob, ‘Look, your son Joseph has come to see you!’ Jacob sat up on the bed, even though it was difficult for him to do that.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

son (Japanese honorifics)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title. In these verses, the Hebrew that is translated as “son” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as musuko-san (息子さん), combining the word for “son” (musuko) and the suffix title –san.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also daughter (Japanese honorifics).

Translation commentary on Genesis 48:2

Your son Joseph has come to you: the Hebrew again has hinneh “behold,” which Revised Standard Version does not translate. This word makes it appear that possibly Joseph went immediately to Goshen and did not have time to send word that he was coming. Translators may find it better to avoid the two sentences of Revised Standard Version and to follow the model of Good News Translation, with “When Jacob was told…,” “When Jacob found out…,” or “When they told Jacob….” Some translations make a link with verse 1 by saying “When they arrived someone told the old man….”

Israel summoned his strength: Israel is Jacob and can be rendered by the pronoun he in most languages. Summoned his strength translates a form of the verb “to strengthen” or “to grow strong.” In this context we may say, for example, “made the effort to” or “took hold of himself.” See Good News Translation. In some languages the fact that Jacob was lying down at first is brought out: “When Jacob heard … he was lying down, but he exerted himself to get up and he sat on the bed.”

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 .