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 35:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 35:20:

  • Newari: “Jacob set up a rock at the place where she was buried. This is still there as Rachel’s burial pillar.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob placed/put-up a stone as/[linker] a-sign of the grave/tomb/burial-place of Raquel, and until now this sign (is) still there at the grave/tomb/burial-place of Raquel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob set up a large stone over her grave, and it is still there, showing where Rachel’s grave is.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 35:20

Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave: for set up a pillar see 28.18. This may be translated “Jacob set up a memorial stone at the place where they buried her.” In language areas where gravestones are not used, it may be necessary to provide more information; for example, “Jacob put a stone on top of her grave so that people would remember where it was.”

It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb means “This pillar marks Rachel’s tomb” or “… shows where Rachel is buried.”

Which is there to this day: see Good News Translation.

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 .