18Then Judah stepped up to him and said, “O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “anger” in English in this verse is translated with a variety of solutions (Bratcher / Nida says: “Since anger has so many manifestations and seems to affect so many aspects of personality, it is not strange that expressions used to describe this emotional response are so varied).”
Citak: two different terms, one meaning “angry” and one meaning “offended,” both are actually descriptions of facial expressions. The former can be represented by an angry stretching of the eyes or by an angry frown. The latter is similarly expressed by an offended type of frown with one’s head lowered. (Source: Graham Ogden)
The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)
Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Spanish uses a formal vs. informal second-person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Spanish Bibles all use only the informal second-person pronoun (tú), with the exception of Dios Habla Hoy (third edition: 1996) which also uses the formal pronoun (usted). In the referenced verses, the formal form is used.
Sources and for more information: P. Ellingworth in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 143ff. and R. Ross in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 217ff.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 44:18:
Kankanaey: “Upon his hearing that, Juda approached Jose and said, ‘Oh sir, you (sing.) who are very-much-like the king, please permit that I tell what is in my mind. Please don’t be-getting-angry-at-me.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Judah went before him and said — Lord, You are like the King. I will say something, don’t be angry with me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Juda came-near to Jose and said, ‘I am-pleading with you (sing.), sir, that if possible listen to me. Hopefully [you (sing.)] do- not -be-angry with me, you (sing.) who are now like a king of Egipto.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Judah came near to Joseph and said, ‘Sir, please let me say something to you. You are equal to the king himself, so you could command that I be executed; but do not be angry with me for speaking to you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Verse 18 serves as an introduction to Judah’s long speech to Joseph.
Then Judah went up to him and said: went up translates a verb meaning to “come close,” “approach,” “draw near to.” Judah steps up close to the ruler to begin his frank and personal appeal on Benjamin’s behalf. Driver calls Judah’s speech in verses 18-34 “a speech of singular pathos and beauty, remarkable not less for grace and persuasive eloquence than for frankness and generosity.” Translators will note that Judah’s speech, while representing what has been said in chapters 42 and 43, is often different in wording.
O my lord, let your servant, I pray you, speak a word in my lord’s ears: Judah’s use of my lord … your servant … pray you show an inferior seeking a hearing with his superior. This must be reflected carefully in languages that use honorific terms of address. As in many previous examples, if my lord or your servant will be understood as a third party, it must be adjusted. In some languages this may be expressed as “Sir, I am only a small person in your presence” or “Sir, I am like nothing in your eyes.”
Speak a word in … ears is a very natural expression in some languages. In others it is more fitting to say, for example, “I beg you to let me speak with you” or “straight to your face.” Another view of this expression, according to Anchor Bible, is that to speak … in … ears means to “speak earnestly.” Good News Translation has “freely,” New Jerusalem Bible “have a word privately,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “secretly.” Both the more literal and the adverbial use are acceptable.
Let not your anger burn against your servant: that is, “and please don’t be angry with me, sir.” The Hebrew is literally “don’t let your nostril [nose, face] burn [heat] [on] your servant.” For a similar expression see 30.2 and 39.19. As a nonfigurative expression we may say “Please be patient with me, sir.” In some languages another figurative expression will be appropriate; for example, “don’t let your heart grow hot” or “don’t let your liver boil because of me.”
For you are like Pharaoh himself: this may be understood as the reason why Judah pleads that Joseph should not get angry with Judah. Since he is equal to the king, he has the power to do as he wishes with Judah, and so Judah hopes that he will not get angry and use his power. It is also possible to understand that Judah uses this expression to admit the vast superiority of Joseph, and so place himself in a position of total weakness and in need of mercy. Bible en français courant opens verse 18 with this admission: “Sir, you who are the administrator, you are the equal of the Pharaoh. Please allow me to add some words without causing you to be angry.”
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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