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 32:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:4:

  • Kankanaey: “He instructed them saying, ‘Tell to my older-sibling that this is what Jacob who serves him who is his master is-causing-to-be-reported. Tell (him) also that I have-been-staying-with plural Laban until now because I have been delayed for-a-long-time there.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He send them, saying to them –” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He instructed them what they would-say to Esau. Jacob said, ‘You (sing.) tell Esau that I stayed there with Laban and I have- not -been-able-to-go-home yet until now.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He told them, ‘This is what I want you to say to Esau: ‘I, Jacob, want to be your servant and I want you to be my master. I have been living with our uncle Laban, and I have stayed there until now.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:4

Instructing them: Revised Standard Version runs verses 3 and 4 together, but translators may find that a new sentence is required with Gen 32.4. Instructing here means “directing,” “ordering,” “telling.” We may also translate the beginning of verse 4 as in Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, “He gave them this message:…” or “He told them to say to Esau:….”

Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: since a written message is not employed, the messenger is to repeat exactly the words spoken by the sender of the message. Note the form the message has in Good News Translation. We may translate, for example, “These are the words you will say to…” or “Here is what you are to say to….”

My lord translates ʾadoni, as in Rachel’s address to her father in 31.35. Jacob uses my lord as an address form to his brother in Gen 32.5. Since this quote is used as introductory to the messengers and not to Esau, it may be necessary in translation to make this clear. For example, “I want you to give my lord Esau this message” or “I am going to tell you now what I want you to say to my lord Esau.”

Thus says your servant Jacob: these are the words the messengers are to speak to Esau. In some languages it may be confusing for Jacob to speak of himself in the third person. In that case we may sometimes say “I am your servant, Jacob” or “I am Jacob and I am your slave.” We may put together Jacob’s instructions to his messengers and the opening statement as follows: “Say these words to my lord Esau: ‘I am Jacob who serves you’ ”; or “… ‘I am Jacob, your slave.’ ” A translation that uses indirect speech in this context says “Tell this word to Esau. Tell him that I, Jacob, am his servant. I call him boss.”

I have sojourned with Laban: for sojourned see 12.10.

For stayed until now see Good News Translation. We may also say, for example, “I am only now returning home” or “After all this time I am now coming home.” In some translations sojourned … and stayed until now is expressed as “I have stayed a long time with Laban and now I am coming back.”

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 .