years (age)

In Aekyom, years are counted as “turtles” (ambum).

Norm Mundhenk tells this story:

“Recently I was checking some New Testament material in the Aekyom language of western Papua New Guinea. It seemed relatively clear until suddenly we came to a passage that started, ‘When Jesus had 12 turtles, …’ Surely I had misunderstood what they said.
“‘Did you say that Jesus had 12 turtles?’
“‘Let us explain! Around here there is a certain time every year when river turtles come up on the banks and lay their eggs. Because this is so regular, it can be used as a way of counting years. Someone’s age is said to be how many turtles that person has. So when we say that Jesus had 12 turtles, we mean that Jesus was 12 years old.’
“It was of course the familiar story of Jesus’ trip with his parents to Jerusalem. And certainly, as we all know, Jesus did indeed have 12 turtles at that time!”

In Tok Pisin, krismas (derived from “christmas”) is taken as the fixed annual marker, so Jesus had 12 “christmases” (Jisas i gat 12-pela krismas pinis) or Abram (in Gen. 12:4) had 75 (Abram i gat 75 krismas) (source: Norm Mundhenk). In Noongar it is biroka kadak or “summers had” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

See also advanced in years.

Eber

The name that is transliterated as “Eber” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that shows him as a one of Jesus’ ancestors, linking Jesus to the lineage of the Hebrews (“Hebrews” historically was understood as coming from “Eber” ). Therefore, the sign shows “descended from the Hebrew people.” (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Eber” in Libras (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Genesis 11:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 11:14:

  • Newari: “When Shelah was 30 years old, a son named Eber was born to him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Shela was now age-of 30 years, his son Eber was-born.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 11:14 - 11:15

The report of Shelah: see 10.24.

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 .