Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jacob” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

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

See also Esau.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jacob .

complete verse (Genesis 30:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:4:

  • Newari: “So Rachel gave her maid servant Bilhah in marriage to Jacob.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So she gave Bilha to Jacob as a wife, and Jacob laid-together with Bilha.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So she gave him her slave, Bilhah, to be another wife for him, and Jacob had sex with her.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:4

So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife: So marks the conclusion of Rachel’s proposal, which Jacob apparently accepts without question. As a wife means to do as a wife would do, and particularly to sleep with Jacob. Since Jacob already has two wives, some translations say “as another wife” in this context.

Jacob went in to her: see 29.21.

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 .