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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:25:
Kankanaey: “As for the siblings, they prepared what they would give to Jose when he came-home at twelve o’clock, because they had come-to-know that they would-eat-with him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “They made the gifts ready to give to Joseph at noon. For they had been called to eat there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The siblings/(brothers) prepared their gifts for Jose while they waited for him to come-home at noon. For they were-told that they would-have-lunch there at the house of Jose.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He told them that they were going to eat with Joseph at noon. So the men prepared their gifts to give to Joseph when he arrived.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
For washed their feet see comments on 18.4. For provender see 24.25. Eat bread means to have a meal.
Translators may find that some adjustments are required to translate the order of events in verses 24-25. It is most likely that the brothers learned early on that they were to eat at Joseph’s house. Therefore we may combine verses 24-25 and shift verse 25b to the opening of the combined text. We may say, for example:
• The brothers learned that they were to eat the noon meal in Joseph’s house. After they had entered the house, the steward gave them water to wash their feet. He also fed their donkeys. While they waited for Joseph to come home, they laid out the gifts they had brought for him.
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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