15So the men took the present, and they took double the money with them, as well as Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
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)
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)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Benjamin” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wolf,” referring to Genesis 49:27. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:15:
Kankanaey: “So then the siblings took what-would-be-arrived-with to the governor and the money and they set-out to go to Egipto taking-along Benjamin. When they then arrived there, they went and appeared to (lit. caused-themselves-to-be-seen-by) Jose.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Taking the gift items, double the silver, and Benjamin, they hurried off to Joseph in Egypt.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “So the siblings/(brothers) brought with them gifts and they also doubled their money. Then they set-out to Egipto with Benjamin, and they appeared to Jose.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So the men took the gifts that Jacob said that they should take, and twice the amount of money that the grain would cost, and they also took Benjamin. They went down quickly to Egypt, and they stood in front of Joseph.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
So the men took the present: So in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation renders the Hebrew connective, which marks a consequence of Jacob’s agreeing to let Benjamin go to Egypt. Men refers to the brothers or sons of Jacob. See Good News Translation. Present is as in verse 11.
For double the money see verse 12.
Arose and went down to Egypt: see verse 13.
Stood before Joseph is literally “stood before the face of Joseph” and means “went to where Joseph was,” “presented themselves to Joseph,” or “went to Joseph’s office.” In some languages the short sequence of actions arose … went … stood is too abrupt, and the text must be restructured; one example of a translation is “So the sons of Jacob went to Egypt with Benjamin … When they came to that country, they went to Joseph’s place.”
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 .
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