nurse

The Hebrew that is translated as “nurse” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Ajami Bible as macen da ta yi goyonta or “woman who gave her support.” Since goyo means both “to support (a friend)” and “to back a baby” it covers the range of duties that are implicit here. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

complete verse (Genesis 24:59)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:59:

  • Newari: “So they sent Rebekah and her nurse off with Abraham’s servant and his men.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore, they had- Rebeka including the one-who-takes-care of-her -go-with the servant of Abraham and his companions.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they allowed Rebekah, a woman who had taken care of her when she was very young, Abraham’s servant, and the men who had come with him. to go.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:59

So they sent away …: they may still refer to Laban and the mother, but here it may also refer to all the other people. So introduces a consequence and may need to be translated “When they heard her” or “When she said that.” Sent is the same word as used in verse 54. They sent them away in the sense of sending them off, that is, saying good-bye to them. See Good News Translation “Let Rebecca … go.”

Their sister: Rebekah is the sister of only Laban, but she is probably called sister by the larger family unit in this verse. Many languages have a sister-term that refers to a near female relative; or we may say “Laban’s sister.” But see also comments on “our sister” in the next verse.

Nurse translates a noun form of the Hebrew verb meaning “to suck.” The reference is to a woman who suckles and cares for a baby. According to 35.8 Rebekah’s nurse was called Deborah. She would serve Rebekah as a personal servant. Two examples of how nurse is translated are “the woman servant who had brought her up” and “the woman servant who had looked after her when she was small.”

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 .