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 47:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 47:17:

  • Kankanaey: “And they took to Jose their horses, cows, sheep and donkeys and he exchanged-(them) for food. He gave them what they would eat in that year and that was the exchange for all their animals.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So they brought the domesticated animals that they had. In return for grain, Joseph took the horses, sheep, female goats, cows, and donkeys that they brought. In this way Joseph took domesticated animals in return for grain that year.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So they brought to Jose their horses, sheep, cows, and donkeys, and exchanged-(them) for food. For the whole year, Jose provided them food in exchange for their animals.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they brought their livestock to Joseph. He gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle, and their donkeys.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 47:17

Horses, the flocks, the herds, and the asses: that is, “horses, sheep and goats, cattle, and donkeys.”

And he supplied them with food in exchange for all their cattle that year: this is a summary of what was done. Supplied translates a verb that means “to guide” or “lead to a watering place,” and by extension “to refresh” or “support” (Driver). “Provided” or “supplied” are suitable translations in English.

That year: this time expression may need to be placed either at the beginning of verse 17 or linked to the sentence “He supplied them with food.” In some translations it is made a separate sentence: “They did that until the end of that year,” and the next verse begins “The next year…” (see Good News Translation).

In many meat-eating cultures it will appear amazing that people would not eat their animals, no matter how scrawny they might be, but would trade them for grain. Anchor Bible thinks the reason is to be found in taboos on eating animals, or simply that the story requires this development to accomplish its purpose of explaining the origin of the tax on harvests.

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 .