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 31:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 31:2:

  • Newari: “He also became aware that Laban was no longer like he had been formerly.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob also noticed that the treatment of Laban to him (was) different than in the-time-past.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And Jacob noticed that Laban was not acting friendly toward him as he had done before.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 31:2

And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before is literally “and Jacob saw the face of Laban and behold it was not toward him as before.” What Jacob saw was a change in Laban’s face, that he was no longer friendly toward him. In some languages this statement is expressed in figurative language; for example, “Jacob saw that Laban’s eyes had turned cold” or “… did not show him his good face.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “Laban no longer looked at him with good eyes, as before.” Many languages speak about people being friendly or unfriendly in a context like this; two examples of translations that use such expressions here are “Jacob saw that his father-in-law was not good friends with him like he was before” and “Jacob saw that Laban was unfriendly toward him now.” The fact that Jacob observed a change in the relationship is brought out in some translations; for example, “Jacob saw that Laban’s behavior toward him had changed, and that he didn’t like him as he had before.”

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 .