abomination

The Hebrew that is translated as “abomination” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “hated thing” and in Kwere as zitibusa which means “evil” but also something that causes horror or disgust and revolts people. (Source for both: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

in Ngambay it is nékɔb or “taboo.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also detestable in the sight of God and holy.

complete verse (Genesis 43:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:32:

  • Kankanaey: “And-so they set-out-(plates) what was to be set-before them (food). Jose was alone at one table and his siblings for-their-part at another (lit. one). There were also ones-from-Egipto who were set-apart at another table, because those-from-Egipto consider-it-taboo/improper to eat-with Hebreo.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Joseph, his brothers, and those Egyptians who came there to the feast were fed separately. For Egyptians do not eat sitting together with Hebrews. Egyptians think that if they eat sitting with Hebrews they will be defiled.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The place- (which) Jose -ate-from (was) different, the place- (which) his siblings/(brothers) -ate-from (was) also different, and also different (which) the [plural] Egiptohanon who also lunched there. For the [plural] Egiptohanon do- not -eat with Hebrew, because that (is) detestable for them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The people of Egypt considered that it was disgraceful for them to eat with Hebrews, so the servants served food to Joseph by himself, and served the other people of Egypt who ate with him by themselves, and they served Joseph’s older brothers and younger brother by themselves.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 43:32

Verses 32-34 describe the meal eaten at Joseph’s house.

Verse 32 says that the meal is served in three places: Joseph, who is of high rank, eats by himself; the brothers being Hebrews eat by themselves; and some Egyptians eat by themselves. This way of serving may be expressed, for example, as “They put out separately his [Joseph’s] food, and theirs, and the food of the Egyptians.” Good News Translation has the meal served on separate tables: “Joseph was served at one table, and his brothers at another”; this is a useful model for people who are accustomed to eat at a table.

And the Egyptians who ate with him: the text does not indicate who these persons are. However, we may assume they are guests, probably lesser officials doing business with Joseph, or perhaps male members of Joseph’s wife’s family.

Because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination …: the Egyptians could not eat at the same table with foreigners. Doing so was considered an abomination, which means something disgusting, loathsome, or detestable. According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the Egyptians “would not use the knife or cooking utensil of a Greek, because it might have been employed in preparing food from the flesh of a cow, which was sacred to Isis [an ancient Egyptian god].” Accordingly the reason for not eating with foreigners was a religious taboo. We may translate, therefore, “it was taboo for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews” or “the religion of the Egyptians prohibited them from eating with Hebrews.”

Translators may find that a footnote is needed to explain this taboo. In that case we may suggest, for example, “At that time the Hebrews and other foreigners were looked upon by the Egyptians as unclean, because they ate food that the Egyptians did not eat.”

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 .