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 42:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 42:15:

  • Kankanaey: “But I will test you whether what you have told is true. I swear by the name of the king that you will never-leave here if that-aforementioned younger-sibling of yours does not come.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Now I will test to see who you actually are. I say to you — Until your youngest brother comes, you will not get to go from here.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But I will-test you (pl.) (to-see) if what you (pl.) are-saying (is) really true. I swear in the name of the king of Egipto that you (pl.) can- not -leave from-here until you (pl.) do- [lit. not] -bring here your youngest-sibling.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But this is how I will determine whether what you are saying is true. I think that as surely as the king lives, you are spies. And you will not leave this place until your youngest brother comes here!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 42:15

By this you shall be tested: this points to the test the brothers will be put through. Joseph may suspect that the brothers have done away with Benjamin the same as they did with him. We may translate, for example, “You will now be given a chance to prove that what you say is true,” “I am going to put you to the test on this,” or “… to see if what you say about your younger brother is true.”

By the life of Pharaoh: Joseph is using this expression as an oath. According to Driver this kind of oath is found on Egyptian monuments. It is equivalent to the Hebrew oath “As the LORD lives” and “As your soul lives” in 1 Sam 14.39 and 17.55. Translators should refer to similar cases of swearing an oath in 14.22 and 21.23-24. To swear by the life of the king was to affirm by the highest authority under God that what Joseph said would really happen. The literal expression of the oath may need to be adjusted in translation to say, for example, “By the power of Pharaoh” or “As sure as the king is alive and well.” See Good News Translation.

We may translate verse 15, for example, “I swear by the power of the king of Egypt that you [plural] will never leave until your younger brother is brought here.”

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 .