clothes

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated with “clothes” or similar in English is translated in Enlhet as “crawling-in-stuff” (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1971, p. 169ff. ) and in Noongar as bwoka or “Kangaroo skin” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

Joseph

The term that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that relates to a) the coat he wore (see Gen 37:3), b) the holding of his clothes by Potiphar’s wife (see Gen 39:12), and c) the many times Joseph experienced grief. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Joseph” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Joseph” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

complete verse (Genesis 41:42)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:42:

  • Kankanaey: “Upon- the king’s -saying that, he removed his ring which was-engraved-with the mark of the king, and he put-it on Jose’s finger. He also clothed-him in the finest long garments and necklaced-him with gold.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He took his ring off and put it on Joseph’s finger. Then he dressed him in an upper garment of good cloth and put a gold chain on his neck.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the king took-off his ring which was-used-for-marking and put-it-on the finger of Jose. He had- Jose -dressed-up with special clothes which-is linen and had- a golden necklace -put-on-(him).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The king took from his finger the ring that had his seal on it, and he put it on Joseph’s finger. He put robes made of fine linen on him, and he put a gold chain around his neck.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:42

Took his signet ring from his hand: that is, “took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph’s finger.” The ring that the king gives to Joseph is, as Good News Translation says, “engraved with the royal seal.” The use of a signet ring was described in connection with Judah in 38.18. In Judah’s case the signet was hung by a cord around his neck. Here the signet is a ring worn on the finger. It was traditional in Egypt for the king’s second in command to be “the keeper of the seal.”

Linen refers to a superior quality cloth woven from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is cool and has a surface luster. It may be necessary to translate “and the king placed robes of fine linen on him.” In areas where linen is unknown, translators should use a term for the best quality cloth that is known.

Put a gold chain about his neck: in ancient Egypt such chains were given for outstanding service to the king. The chain hangs loosely about the neck and chest.

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 .