Canaan

The term that is transliterated as “Canaan” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign loosely referencing the act of hiding/covering one’s face in shame. The association of “shame” with the name “Canaan” comes from Genesis 9, specifically verse 9:25. This sign was adapted from a similar sign in Kenyan Sign Language (see here). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Canaan” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Canaan in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Esau

The name that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language with the signs signifying “hairy forearm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm, Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Esau” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

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 Jacob and hairy (like Esau).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esau .

complete verse (Genesis 36:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:5:

  • Newari: “And Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons born to Esau in the land of Canaan.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And his children with Oholibama were [they] Jeush, Jalam, and Kora. They (were) the children of Esau who were-born in Canaan.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons of Esau were born while he was living in the Canaan region.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:5

Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah: Jeush and Jalam are mentioned only in chapter 36 and in the parallel passages in 1 Chronicles.

These are the sons of Esau … Canaan: These points back to the five sons mentioned in verses 4-5. For a translation model see Good News Translation.

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 .