complete verse (Genesis 27:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:24:

  • Kankanaey: “but he said again to ask-for-clarification, ‘Are you (sing.) Esau truly?’ ‘Yes indeed,’ said Jacob.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “‘Are you really Esau?'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “he still asked, ‘Are you really truly Esau?’ Jacob replied, ‘Yes, I really am.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But first Isaac asked, ‘Are you really my son Esau?’ Jacob replied, ‘Yes, I am.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:24

He said, “Are you really my son Esau?”: it may be necessary to render said with “asked,” “inquired,” “questioned Jacob.” And since this is not the first time Isaac has asked this question, it will be more natural in many languages to say “he asked him again.” The wording follows that expressed already by Isaac in verse 21.

He answered: he is Jacob, which may need to be expressed as “Jacob answered him.” I am is literally “I.” In some languages this reply may be “Yes, sir,” “I am who you say,” “I am 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 .