Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

See also Esau.

complete verse (Genesis 27:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:21:

  • Kankanaey: “Whereupon Isaac said, ‘Approach-me my child so that I will place-my-hands-on you (sing.) so-that I-will-thereby-know if it is true that you (sing.) are Esau.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Isaac said to Jacob — ‘Come close to me, by touching you I will see whether you are my son Esau or not.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Isaac said, ‘Come- more -close/near to me child so-that I can-touch/feel you if truly you are really Esau.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Isaac said to Jacob, ‘Come near to me, my son, so that I can touch you and determine whether you are really my son Esau.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:21

Isaac has heard Jacob’s voice and is not sure who he is; so he decides to use his sense of touch on Jacob.

Come near, that I may feel you, my son: Isaac directs Jacob to approach him or come close to him. Good News Translation “Please” represents the Hebrew particle of entreaty that accompanies the verb. We may also say, for example, “Please come here” or “Please step near me.” Feel translates the same verb as used in verse 12.

To know whether you are really my son Esau or not: this may also be rendered, for example, “then I will know for sure that you are my son Esau.” In some languages this is better expressed as a separate sentence: “I want to make sure that you are my son Esau.”

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 .