cup

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is translated as “cup” in English is translated in Sar with “calabash” (see here ) (source: Ngarbolnan Riminan in Le Sycomore 2000, p. 20ff. ) and in Bariai with “coconut shell” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

cupbearer

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “cupbearer” is translated in Newari as “new wine vessel holder.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

complete verse (Genesis 40:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 40:21:

  • Kankanaey: “The leader of the drink-servers, he truly had-him-returned to his former work.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The chief cupbearer was put into his job again,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He restored/caused-to-return the head of the servers of drink to his work,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said that his chief drink-server could have his previous job again, so that again he took cups of wine to the king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 40:21

He restored the chief butler to his butlership: for restored see verse 13. Butlership represents Revised Standard Version‘s attempt to retain the Hebrew noun form referring to the wine servant’s position. We may say, for example, “The king gave the wine servant his former job” or “The king returned to the wine servant the position he had held before he was arrested.”

And he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand: Good News Translation considers this to be included in “restored … to his former position” and does not translate it. However, this statement serves to affirm what Joseph had predicted in verse 13. Furthermore, it contrasts the continuing function of the wine servant with the death of the baker. The statement has a rhetorical function and should not be omitted.

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 .