complete verse (Genesis 43:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:6:

  • Kankanaey: “Jacob then said, ‘You are the reason for this hardship of mine, because you told him (blame particle) that you had another sibling.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Israel said — ‘Why have you given me this trouble, by saying to him that you also had a younger brother?'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob said, ‘Why have- you (pl.) -given me a great/big problem? Why did- you (pl.) -tell the governor that you (pl.) still have one sibling/(brother)?'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob asked, ‘Why did you cause me to have this trouble by telling the man that you had a younger brother?'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 43:6

Israel said: see 35.21. Jacob’s question is “Why did you [plural] do evil to me by telling the man you had another brother?” By this question Jacob is thinking of the grief the brothers have caused him by mentioning Benjamin to the ruler. The question is not rhetorical but real, and the brothers give their reply in Gen 43.7. For the man see verse 3.

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 .