complete verse (Genesis 42:35)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 42:35:

  • Kankanaey: “When they emptied-out their sacks (lit. what they had sacked), right there-was the money that they had paid in Egipto and they all became-afraid, including their father Jacob.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When they untied, opened, and looked into their sacks, they found that their packets of silver money had also been put in their sacks [lit.: in them]. Seeing this, they, as well as their father Jacob, were all afraid.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When they now poured-out the contents of their sacks, they saw there in their sacks the money that they had-paid. When they and their father saw it, they were- all -frightened.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “As they were emptying their sacks, they were surprised that in each man’s sack was his pouch of money! When they and their father saw all the pouches of money, they were frightened.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 42:35

The other brothers now also discover that their money has been returned to them.

As they emptied their sacks: that is, “When they began to empty their sacks.”

Behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: behold again signals the surprise experienced by the brothers, as it did in verse 27. Bundle in the expression bundle of money translates a noun related to the verb to “bind” or “tie up.” Here it gives the picture of the silver as wrapped and tied.

They were dismayed: that is, “they were afraid” or “… filled with fear.”

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 .