Joseph

The term that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that relates to a) the coat he wore (see Gen 37:3), b) the holding of his clothes by Potiphar’s wife (see Gen 39:12), and c) the many times Joseph experienced grief. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Joseph” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joseph .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Genesis 40:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 40:22:

  • Kankanaey: “As for his companion however, he caused-him-to-be-hung on a post. And all that Jose had said was-fulfilled.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The chief bread baker, however, was killed by hanging. This all happened just like Joseph said.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “but the head of the ones-who-bake bread, he had-caused-to-be-impaled his corpse/dead-body. Everything happened (as) Jose had-told them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But he commanded that the chief baker should be killed by being hanged, just as Joseph had said would happen when he told the two men the meaning of their dreams.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 40:22

But he hanged the chief baker: but translates the Hebrew connective, which here contrasts the restoring of the wine servant with the death of the baker. For hanged see comments on verse 19. In this verse there is no mention of a separate execution before the man’s body was hung up; this is an execution by hanging. Good News Translation uses the more general term “executed”; some other translations say “sent his men to kill….”

As Joseph had interpreted to them: that is, “It happened just as Joseph had explained to them about their dreams.”

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 .