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” (The name means “possessor”). (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 5:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 5:14:

  • Kankanaey: “Then he died yearing 910.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way Kenan lived 910 years and died.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He died at the age of 910.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Kenan lived 910 years altogether, and then he died.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 5:12 - 5:14

The report of Kenan. In Hebrew this name is similar in spelling to Cain’s name, and it is thought to be a variant of “Cain,” without suggesting that it is the same person.

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 .