Pharaoh

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)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Genesis 12:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 12:20:

  • Kankanaey: “And the king commanded his soldiers that they escort them to the border of the country. So it was that plural Abram who were a spouse-unit (i.e. Abram and his wife) departed and they also took-along all their possessions.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Pharaoh gave orders to his people. So they gave everything that they had to Abram and his wife and then sent them away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the king commanded his men to send them now away. So they took Abram outside that place and sent- (him) -away with his wife and taking (with them) all their properties.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the king told his officials/servants to take Abram and his wife and all his possessions out of Egypt.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 12:20

And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him: that is, the king ordered or commanded his men. Men is very general and in this context it most likely refers to military men, or as Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says, “Pharaoh ordered a detachment of soldiers….” Bible en français courant has “Pharaoh gave his servants orders,” and Moffatt “Pharaoh gave him an escort.”

They set him on the way: Abram is sent back in the direction he had come, toward the Negeb desert, as 13.1 shows. Revised Standard Version says set him, but the meaning of the Hebrew verb is “sent.” The purpose of the escort was to make certain that he left Egypt. In this context many languages will naturally use a term like “expelled” or “threw them out.” This is actually the meaning that is understood from the colloquial expression in English “sent him on his way” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, Speiser).

With his wife and all that he had: all that he had refers to his people and the livestock mentioned in verse 16. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “… to bring Abram with his wife and all his possessions across the border,” which is a good model to follow.

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 .