sinew

The Hebrew in Genesis 32:32 that is translated as “sinew” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as umuge, a word used for both softer muscle and tougher tendons, since there is no generic term for “tendon” or “sinew” in Kwere. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Jacob and the angel (image)

Hand colored stencil print on washi by Sadao Watanabe (1970).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

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 32:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:32:

  • Kankanaey: “That is the reason that when the Israelita butcher something, they don’t use-for-meat-viand the muscle of the hip until today (doesn’t imply that they now eat it), because that muscle is what Jacob’s wrestling-partner hit.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because of the injury incurred on Jacob’s buttocks, the people of Israel, even till now, do not eat the flesh of the buttocks of any animal.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This is the reason why until now the Israelinhon do- not -eat the tendon at the joint of the bone in the hip. For there (in) that part God squeezed Jacob.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The muscle on his hip joint had been injured. So to this present time, because of what happened to Jacob, the Israeli people do not eat the muscle/tendon that is attached to the socket of the hips of animals.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:32

Verse 32 is given to explain the origin of a dietary taboo. Nothing is said in any other part of the Old Testament about abstaining from eating this part of an animal. It is, however, prohibited in the Mishna, which is a collection of Jewish laws written in the early Christian era; and this may reflect a much more ancient tradition.

Therefore to this day makes it clear that this comment comes from a much later period than that of the Patriarchs. This introductory statement may also be rendered, for example, “still today,” “even today,” or “right up to this day.”

The Israelites do not eat the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh: sinew of the hip translates a Hebrew expression that is used only here. Part of the expression refers to the sinew (or tendon). These are tough white bands of connective tissue that attach the muscle, in this instance, to the hip joint. Translations vary considerably in the way they express this. New English Bible has “sinew of the nerve that runs in the hollow of the thigh,” Revised English Bible “sinew that is on the hollow of the thigh,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “the tendon that is in the hip joint,” Bible en français courant “the thigh muscle that is in the hip joint.” Note also Good News Translation.

Because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh on the sinew of the hip: touched is as in verse 25. See there for translation. Most translations do not need to repeat the detailed statement of what was struck. Note Good News Translation “on this muscle,” and Revised English Bible “on that sinew.”

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 .