complete verse (Genesis 43:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:31:

  • Kankanaey: “Then he washed-his-face and returned to the location of his siblings holding-back his cry. He said to the slave(s), ‘We (excl.) will eat now.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Having washed [his] face [he] came out from that room. Then controlling himself he said — ‘Bring [the food] to eat.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Afterwards, he washed- his -face and returned there to them with control of his feelings. Then he commanded/ordered the food to- now -be-prepared.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then, after he washed the tears from his face, he came out, and controlling his emotions, he said to the servants, ‘Serve the food!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 43:31

Then he washed his face and came out: in some languages the transition from crying to returning to the room may need to be more detailed than in Revised Standard Version; for example, “After he had finished crying…” or “When he had cried for a while….” The purpose of washing his face was to wash away the tears from his eyes and face.

Controlling himself: controlling translates a verb meaning to be strong. To be strong toward yourself is to restrain yourself. In some languages this is expressed as “he would not let them see how he felt” or “he hid his true feelings from them.”

Let food be served: these words are directed to the steward. We may also say, for example, “You may bring in the food now” or “Serve the meal.” If indirect speech is more natural, we may say “and he ordered the servants to bring the food.”

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 .