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 that is translated as “bow to the ground” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as “bowing knees and face touching the ground.” (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:26:
Kankanaey: “When Jose then arrived, they knelt-down and bent-face-downward in giving (him) what they had arrived-with.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “When Joseph came to the house they gave him the gifts that they had brought. Then kneeling, they bowed down.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When Jose arrived, they gave their gifts and knelt-down in-front of him as (a sign of) respect.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts that they had brought into the house. Then they bowed down to the ground in front of him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Verses 26-30 describe the meeting between Joseph and his brothers and the emotion of Joseph upon seeing Benjamin.
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present … them: they, of course, refers to the brothers. Apparently the gifts had been placed outside, where Joseph would see them when he came home at noon. It may also be that the gifts have been placed in the entry room and are later brought into another larger inside room. The brothers bring the gifts to him.
Bowed down to him to the ground: this action appears to follow the presentation of the gifts. This is the second time the brothers have bowed down to Joseph. The first occasion was in 42.6. Both of these encounters recall Joseph’s dreams in 37.7-9.
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.