brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), both “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

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 27:42)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 27:42:

  • Newari: “She called her son Jacob and said — ‘Your elder brother is thinking of taking revenge by killing you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But Rebeka heard-the-news about the plan of Esau, so she had- Jacob -called and told-(him), ‘Your older-sibling Esau is-planning to kill you (sing.) so-that he will-be-consoled from his anger with you.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But Rebekah found out what her older son, Esau, was thinking. So she summoned her younger son, Jacob, and said to him, ‘Listen to me. Your older brother, Esau, is comforting himself by planning to kill you, to get revenge because of your deceiving your father.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 27:42

But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah: But contrasts what Esau thought to himself and Rebekah’s learning of it. We may also say in English “When,” or “But when.” In languages in which the passive cannot be used, it may be necessary to say, for example, “Someone told Rebekah what Esau had been saying” or “Rebekah found out what Esau was planning to do.”

She sent and called Jacob: that is “she sent someone to bring Jacob.”

Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself by planning to kill you: Behold serves the same function as in verse 39. See there for translation suggestions. Comforts translates a verb whose basic meaning is as in Revised Standard Version. In this context, however, it carries the sense of taking revenge; that is, Esau plans to relieve his anger and frustration by taking revenge on Jacob. So New Jerusalem Bible translates “means to take revenge,” and Good News Translation “planning to get even with you.” We may translate, for example, “Esau is making himself feel better by planning to kill you,” “Esau hopes to set things right by killing you,” or “Esau is planning to pay you back for what you did; he wants to kill you.”

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 .