Joseph

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)


“Joseph” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

complete verse (Genesis 44:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 44:15:

  • Kankanaey: “Then he right-away said, ‘Why did you do that? You ought to have known of-course that the one whose position is high like me, it is possible for him to divine who was the one-who-stole.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Joseph said to them — ‘What is this [that] you have done? Do you not know that I am able to find out [what is] true [or] not true?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jose said to them, ‘What (is) this you (pl.) have-done? Do you (pl.) not know that I know how-to-guess/predict/divine? Therefore you really can- not -hide-anything from me.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said to them, ‘Why did you do this? Do you not know that a man like me can find out things that nobody knows?'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 44:15

Said to them must often be expressed as “asked them.”

What deed is this that you have done?: Revised Standard Version renders the Hebrew as a “what” question. It may be more natural to say “Why have you done this thing?” or “Why have you acted this way?” It is also possible to be quite direct: “Why did you steal my cup?”

Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed divine?: Joseph’s question expresses the futility of trying to deceive him, because he, as a ruler of Egypt, has secret knowledge, or, just as he interprets dreams, he also knows how to reveal people’s secrets—in this case something secretly stolen. Such a man as I means “a man of my knowledge” or “a man who rules as I do.” It may also be expressed as “we rulers can….”

Can indeed divine is expressed in New Revised Standard Version as “can practice divination.” Revised English Bible say “uses divination.” We may translate the idea of divine by saying, for example, “can learn through magic the secret things people do” or “can find out secretly the things people try to keep hidden.”

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 .