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 30:41)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:41:

  • Newari: “When good-looking and strong cattle came to mate, He would put the branch splinters in front of them alongside the trough for drinking water.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If the animals that (were) healthy/[lit. good of body] were-mating-with-each-other there in the watering-trough, Jacob then placed those branches before them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “In addition, whenever the stronger female sheep were ready to mate, Jacob put some of those peeled branches in the troughs in front of them, so that they would mate in front of the branches.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:41

Verses 41-42 explain how Jacob made certain that his animals were stronger and healthier than those that belonged to Laban. See the note on trick 3 in verse 37.

Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding: stronger of the flock refers to the animals that are robust, sturdy, healthy. In some languages these are called “the fat animals.”

Laid the rods in the runnels: see verse 38.

Before the eyes of the flock: that is, so they could see the striped branches.

That they might breed among the rods: see the similar expression in verse 39.

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 .