complete verse (Genesis 45:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 45:13:

  • Kankanaey: “Go then and tell our father of my status (lit. personhood) here in Egipto and of all that you have seen. Then hurry to accompany-him here.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Tell my father all that you have seen here and that I have become a great person in Egypt. Then bring him here quickly.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (pl.) tell my father about the honor that I have-come-to-possess here in Egipto and all that you (pl.) saw about me. And you (pl.) bring him here to me quickly.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Go and tell my father about how greatly I am honored here in Egypt. And tell him about everything else that you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 45:13

You must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt: Joseph is addressing all the brothers. Splendor translates a Hebrew word that was used for “wealth” in 31.1. In 34.19 the same word was used for the “honor” of Shechem and here also has the sense of glory, honor, or fame. New Revised Standard Version has revised Revised Standard Version to say “how greatly I am honored.” In some languages this idea is best expressed as “Tell my father how the people of Egypt praise me” or “… honor me.” Some modern translations interpret the word in this context to mean “authority”: “about my authority in this country.” Good News Translation has “how powerful I am”; other translations say “that I have a high rank” or “that I am very important.” All that you have seen, in the context of Joseph’s power and splendor, most likely refers to Joseph’s style of life and his commanding presence. We may translate this expression, for example, “and the things you have seen me do” or “the way of my life you have seen.”

Make haste repeats part of the opening of verse 9 and so encloses verses 9-13 with the same command.

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 .