Reuben

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Reuben” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “head” or “leader” referring to the position he had among his brothers as the firstborn. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Reuben” 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 .

More information on Reuben (son of Jacob) and the Tribe of Reuben .

power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (Genesis 49:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 49:3:

  • Newari: “‘Reuben, you are my first son, you are my strength, the first son of my youth, my greatest pride.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘You (sing.) Reuben, my oldest-child, you (sing.) (are) the first fruit of my being-a-male. You (sing.) (are) more famous/honor-is-given-to and more powerful than your (sing.) siblings/(brothers).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Reuben, you are my oldest son. You were born when I was young and energetic/strong. You are prouder and stronger than all the rest of my sons.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

2nd person pronoun with low register (Japanese)

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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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used anata (あなた) is typically used when the speaker is humbly addressing another person.

In these verses, however, omae (おまえ) is used, a cruder second person pronoun, that Jesus for instance chooses when chiding his disciples. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also first person pronoun with low register and third person pronoun with low register.

Translation commentary on Genesis 49:3

In verses 3-7 Jacob’s words are addressed directly to Reuben, Simeon, and Levi as individuals. Jacob pronounces punishment for crimes that have been recorded in the story of his life. In this respect these verses differ from all those that follow.

Reuben, you are my first-born: for first-born see 10.15.

My might: Reuben represents Jacob’s sexual vigor. Note how in 4.12 the LORD speaking to Cain said that the ground would no longer give him crops, which is expressed as “strength.” In that culture expressions relating to fertility were applied to crops, land, animals, and people as well.

The first fruits of my strength: see Deut 21.17. This expression, which matches my might in the first line, expresses the thought figuratively and makes the image more striking.

In translation it may be necessary to make these images clearer by saying, for example, “You are the product of my strength, the first child of my maturity” or “… my first child after I became a grown man.” If the language of translation has a satisfactory figurative expression, it should be used.

Pre-eminent in pride … power: pre-eminent translates a word meaning “surpassing” or “excelling.” The word rendered pride may mean “grandeur,” “excellence,” or “dignity.” We may translate, for example, “you surpass everyone in pride and power” or “your excellence and strength is greater than that of all others.” See Good News Translation.

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 .