complete verse (Genesis 33:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 33:6:

  • Newari: “Then the two maid servants and their children came forward and paid reverence to Esau.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the two female servants and their children came-near to Esau, and they knelt-down as (in)-respect to him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the female slaves and their children came near and bowed in front of Esau.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 33:6

Then the maids drew near, they and their children: Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew word order. See Good News Translation for a more natural statement in English. For “concubines” see verse 1.

Bowed down translates the same verb as used for Jacob’s seven bows and means the women and children knelt and placed their foreheads to the ground.

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 .