56And since the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
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)
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “sell” in English is translated in Noongar as wort-bangal or “away-barter.” Note that “buy” is translated as bangal-barranga or “get-barter.” (Source: Bardip Ruth-Ang 2020)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:56:
Kankanaey: “When the famine became-worse over the entire country in Egipto, Jose caused-to-be-opened the collective-granaries and he sold food to those-from-Egipto.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “After the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the grain storage places. And grain was sold to those who lived in Egypt. For the famine was severe everywhere in Egypt.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The famine spread to every place. And because the famine (was) very severe over the wholeland of Egipto, Jose had- all the storehouses -opened-up and sold food to the ones from-Egipto.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “When the famine was very bad throughout the whole country, Joseph ordered his helpers to open the storehouses. Then they sold the grain in the storehouses to the people of Egypt, because the famine was very severe all over Egypt.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
So when the famine had spread over the land is literally “and the famine was on all the face of the land.” See Good News Translation.
Opened all the storehouses: the Hebrew text says “opened all that was in them.” See Revised Standard Version footnote. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports Revised Standard Version and Good News Translationstorehouses. Storehouses, as used here, refers to large buildings with walls and roof, where grain was kept until needed. In some areas these may be the equivalent of “barns” or “storage sheds.” Translators may be helped by referring to 6.21.
And sold to the Egyptians: that is, “sold the grain to the people of Egypt.”
For the famine was severe: note that this clause is expressed at the beginning of verse 56 in Good News Translation, “The famine grew worse and spread….”
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 .
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