Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

complete verse (Genesis 41:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:1:

  • Kankanaey: “When two years then passed-by, the king in Egipto also dreamed. He was reportedly standing on the edge of the river Nile,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. In the dream he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “After two years, the king of Egipto dreamed that he was standing at the banks of the Nile River.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Two complete years later, the king of Egypt had a dream. In the dream, he was standing alongside the Nile River.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Gen 41:1

After two whole years: chapter 41 continues directly from the action in chapter 40. Many translations will be able to use the time expression as in Revised Standard Version. Others may find that the link with chapter 40 needs to be expressed more fully. In that case we may say, for example, “Two years after the baker was hanged” or “… after the butler was restored by the king.”

Pharaoh: see comments on 12.15.

Dreamed that he was …: as stated in 40.9 Hebrew hinneh “behold” introduces the content of a dream and often occurs as an introduction to individual elements in the dream. Note King James Version “and, behold, he stood by the river.” In some languages this is expressed as “The king had a dream and here is what he saw:…” or “… it was like this:….”

Standing by the Nile: this expression has the sense of “standing beside” or “standing on the bank.” The king is facing the river and is able to see what takes place there. This is the first occurrence in Genesis of the name of the great river of Egypt, the Nile. In the Old Testament there are three words used for the Nile. However, in Genesis and in most of the other books, it is always called in Hebrew yeʾor, a word of Egyptian origin. In areas where the Nile is unknown, translators should say something like “the river called Nile.”

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 .

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:1

After two whole years: chapter 41 continues directly from the action in chapter 40. Many translations will be able to use the time expression as in Revised Standard Version. Others may find that the link with chapter 40 needs to be expressed more fully. In that case we may say, for example, “Two years after the baker was hanged” or “… after the butler was restored by the king.”

Pharaoh: see comments on 12.15.

Dreamed that he was …: as stated in 40.9 Hebrew hinneh “behold” introduces the content of a dream and often occurs as an introduction to individual elements in the dream. Note King James Version “and, behold, he stood by the river.” In some languages this is expressed as “The king had a dream and here is what he saw:…” or “… it was like this:….”

Standing by the Nile: this expression has the sense of “standing beside” or “standing on the bank.” The king is facing the river and is able to see what takes place there. This is the first occurrence in Genesis of the name of the great river of Egypt, the Nile. In the Old Testament there are three words used for the Nile. However, in Genesis and in most of the other books, it is always called in Hebrew yeʾor, a word of Egyptian origin. In areas where the Nile is unknown, translators should say something like “the river called Nile.”

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 .