Canaan

The term that is transliterated as “Canaan” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign loosely referencing the act of hiding/covering one’s face in shame. The association of “shame” with the name “Canaan” comes from Genesis 9, specifically verse 9:25. This sign was adapted from a similar sign in Kenyan Sign Language (see here). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Canaan” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Canaan in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Rachel

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Rachel” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies the eyelashes, referring to “beautiful eyes” as the opposite of Leah (see Genesis 29:17). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

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 Leah.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Rachel .

Bethlehem

The town name that is transliterated as “Bethlehem” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the signs signifying “manger + town” (referring to Luke 2:7). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Bethlehem” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

See also manger.

In American Sign Language it is translated with the signs for “bread” and “house,” referring to the original meaning of “Bethlehem” as “house of bread.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Bethlehem” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Likewise in Hungarian Sign Language:


“Bethlehem” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Bethlehem .

complete verse (Genesis 48:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 48:7:

  • Newari: “If I say why I have done like this, when I was coming back from Paddan-aram, before I reached Ephrath (Bethlehem) in the land of Canaan, your mother Rachel died. I had to bury her beside the road.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘When we left Padan and we (excl.) were-journeying on/at the land of Canaan, your mother died. It happened when (were) now close to Efrata, so I just buried her beside the road going to Efrata’ (which is also Betlehem.)” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Many years ago, as I was returning from Paddan-Aram/Mesopotamia, your mother Rachel died in the Canaan region, while we were still traveling, not far from Ephrath town. So I buried her body there alongside the road to Ephrath.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 48:7

Verse 7 gives an explanation for the statements in verses 5-6. Joseph’s mother Rachel died and was thus prevented from having more children. Consequently Jacob is adding Joseph’s sons to the sons of Rachel. Verse 7 is an adaptation of 35.16 and 19. In a number of translations the element of explanation is brought out; for example, “I have to do this because I am thinking of what happened to your mother” and “I was sad because Rachel had died on the way … and that is why I am saying this.”

Paddan is a short form of Paddan-aram, or Mesopotamia.

Rachel to my sorrow … on the way: Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew text with Rachel. Note that Good News Translation says “Your mother Rachel,” which is the form used by the Septuagint. However, this does not seem to be a textual difference but a translational adjustment required by the context, in which a father is speaking to his son. To my sorrow may be translated in some languages as a separate statement; for example, “This made me very sorrowful” or “I was greatly grieved because of this.” For died in … Bethlehem see 35.19.

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 .