appease

“It was interesting to find how similar some of the Hebrew ways of expression are to Bari idiom. (…) [For instance], in Genesis 32:20 Hebrew uses the expression ‘I will cover his face’ for ‘to appease,’ and Bari speaks of ‘covering the eyes.’ Gifts of appeasement are rapesi ti konyen, ‘coverings of the eyes.’”

Source: Source: P. Guillebaud in The Bible Translator 1965, p. 189ff.

offering

The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”

In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)

See also offering (qorban).

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Gen 32:20)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Esau.

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 32:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:20:

  • Kankanaey: “… and he caused-them-to-go-ahead with some of his slaves, because he figured that that would be his means-of-appeasing him so-that hopefully he would forgive him upon their meeting.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If you speak like this, don’t forget to say — ‘Your servant Jacob is coming beind us.”” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And he really warned them not to forget to tell Esau that he was-following-behind. For Jacob said in his mind/[lit. thinking], ‘I will-pacify Esau with these gifts which I am-going-to-send-ahead. And when we (excl.) will-meet-each-other maybe he will-forgive me.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And be sure to say ‘Jacob, who wants to serve you, is coming behind us.” Jacob told them to say that because he was thinking, ‘Perhaps these gifts that I am sending ahead of me will cause him to act peacefully toward/stop being angry with me. Then later, when I see him, perhaps he will be kind to me.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:20

Moreover … behind us: this repeats the words from verse 18, with your servant Jacob replacing “he.” The repetition is a very important element of Jacob’s message, as indicated by a Hebrew expression that literally says “Also behold,” which Revised Standard Version renders as Moreover. The emphasis is brought out, for instance, in Anchor Bible‘s translation, “And be sure to add, ‘Your servant Jacob….’ ” Other translations say “Don’t forget to tell him, ….”

For he thought: literally “for he said.” See Gen 32.8.

I may appease him with the present that goes before me: appease him translates the expression meaning to “cover his face” and is used figuratively to mean “pacify,” “calm,” “sooth angry feelings.” The gifts are to cover Esau’s face (pacify him) so he cannot see the guilt in Jacob, the wrong that Jacob had done to him in stealing his blessing. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “I will calm his anger,” Traduction oecuménique de la Bible “I will soften his anger,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “… put him in a favorable mood.” See also Good News Translation “I will win him over.” Many languages have idiomatic ways of referring to the giving of presents and other actions that are intended to influence another person’s feelings and attitude; for example, “grease him up,” “make his thinking sweet,” “make his insides good toward me.”

I shall see his face means “when I see him” or “when we meet.”

Perhaps he will accept me: for the fourth time in this verse, the Hebrew word for “face” is used. Here again we are dealing with a figurative expression, which is literally “lift up my face.” In 19.21 this idiom is used with the meaning “I will grant your request,” or “I will do what you ask me.” However, in the present context it is to be understood as “receive me favorably,” “accept me kindly,” “be good to me.” Note Good News Translation “forgive me.” Bible en français courant has “he will give me a good welcome,” and others “he might be glad to see me.”

A restructuring that gives a more natural discourse sequence in verses 14-20 is as follows:
1. … Jacob separated some animals to give as a present….
2. He separated two hundred female goats and twenty male goats into one flock.
3. He told a worker to take them ahead to Esau.
4. He instructed that worker: “When my brother asks you … you must say that these animals are a present….”
5. After that he separated two hundred female sheep and twenty male sheep into another flock.
6. He told another worker to take them some distance behind the first flock.
7. He instructed that worker to say the same as he had told the first one.
8. He said, “Make sure that you tell him that I, Jacob, am coming behind.”
9. Jacob did the same with all the other animals: he separated thirty female camels with their babies, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys; and he sent them as a present….

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 .