years (age)

In Aekyom, years are counted as “turtles” (ambum).

Norm Mundhenk tells this story:

“Recently I was checking some New Testament material in the Aekyom language of western Papua New Guinea. It seemed relatively clear until suddenly we came to a passage that started, ‘When Jesus had 12 turtles, …’ Surely I had misunderstood what they said.
“‘Did you say that Jesus had 12 turtles?’
“‘Let us explain! Around here there is a certain time every year when river turtles come up on the banks and lay their eggs. Because this is so regular, it can be used as a way of counting years. Someone’s age is said to be how many turtles that person has. So when we say that Jesus had 12 turtles, we mean that Jesus was 12 years old.’
“It was of course the familiar story of Jesus’ trip with his parents to Jerusalem. And certainly, as we all know, Jesus did indeed have 12 turtles at that time!”

In Tok Pisin, krismas (derived from “christmas”) is taken as the fixed annual marker, so Jesus had 12 “christmases” (Jisas i gat 12-pela krismas pinis) or Abram (in Gen. 12:4) had 75 (Abram i gat 75 krismas) (source: Norm Mundhenk). In Noongar it is biroka kadak or “summers had” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

See also advanced in years.

Cainan / Kenan (son of Enos)

The name that is transliterated as “Cainan” or “Kenan” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines “four” (for the fourth generation after Adam) and “possession” (a possible meaning of the name). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Cainan” in Libras (source )

See also Cainan (son of Arphaxad) and Enos / Enosh.

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

complete verse (Genesis 5:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 5:10:

  • Kankanaey: “Enos lived still for 815 years and he also had other children.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that he lived another 815 years. Other sons and daughters were also born to him. In this way Enosh lived 905 years and died.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “After Kenan was-born, Enosh lived 815 more years and his children increased-in-number even more.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After Kenan was born, Enosh lived 815 more years and became the father of other sons and daughters.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 5:9 - 5:11

The report of Enosh.

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 .