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 30:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:7:

  • Newari: “Rachel’s maid servant Bilhah conceived again and gave birth to another son.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Bilha the servant of Raquel became-pregnant again and gave-birth to a son her/[lit. their] second child with Jacob.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Later, Rachel’s slave Bilhah became pregnant again and gave birth to another son for Jacob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:7

Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son: for conceived see 4.17.

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 .