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 31:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 31:4:

  • Newari: “So he sent to summon Rachel and Leah to the place where his cattle were.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Jacob had- his wives Raquel and Lea -called there to the grazing-field of his animals.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Jacob sent a message to Rachel and Leah, telling them to come out to the pastures where his flocks of sheep and goats were.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 31:4

In verses 4-13 Jacob arranges a private conversation with his wives and explains how God enabled his flocks to increase and enabled him to overcome the hardships Laban had imposed upon him.

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field: So marks a consequence of the events in Gen 31.3. Sent and called means Jacob sent someone to tell his wives to come to him. Field refers to the pasture or grazing area where his flocks were feeding. He was there with his animals. New English Bible and Revised English Bible refer to this as “in the country,” while some other translations say simply “the place where his flocks were” (Good News Translation Australian edition and others).

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 .