34Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.
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 transliterated as “Benjamin” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wolf,” referring to Genesis 49:27. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 43:34:
Kankanaey: “They were also given chosen food that came-from Jose’s table, and five-times-more is what was given to Benjamin than to the others of them. And they ate-with and drank-with Jose until they were thoroughly-full.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “The feast was served to them from Joseph’s share. Benjamin’s share was five times as big as their shares. In this way, rejoicing with Joseph, they ate and drank.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “They were served food from before/front-of Jose but the food given to Benjamin was five times more than the others. They ate and drank with Jose.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “And when their portions of food were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s portion! So they ate food and drank wine with Joseph and became very cheerful.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table: Portions refers to servings of food or food that is put on a plate from a larger container. From Joseph’s table is literally “from before him.” We may need to translate in the active voice; for example, “Joseph sent them each a portion of the food the servants had placed before him,” or “Joseph ordered his servants to take each a plate of food from the food that they had served him.”
Five times as much: although most modern translations prefer five times, Anchor Bible thinks five is used here as a round number, just as ten was used in 24.10. Consequently Anchor Bible translates “several times as large,” and this is followed by Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and New Jerusalem Bible. However, it is apparent that the narrator is building up Joseph’s attention to Benjamin, and five times is more definite than “several times.” Some translations say “but the food they gave to the youngest was enough for five men.”
So they drank and were merry with him: this is literally “and they drank and became drunk with him.” At a meal or feast of this kind, wine would be drunk. Were merry translates the same verb and form as in 9.21, in which Noah drank wine and “became drunk.” All of this seems to say clearly that the brothers got intoxicated. However, in terms of the story line the narrator is preparing to contrast this joyful occasion with the shock of Benjamin being accused of stealing from Joseph’s house, a horrible breach of hospitality. Therefore it is more fitting for chapter 43 to end with the brothers celebrating and making merry than on them becoming dull with drunkenness. In this regard Good News Translation is alone among modern versions to say “until they were drunk.” The Handbook recommends, therefore, something equivalent to Revised Standard Version. We may say, for example, “They ate and drank wine with Joseph until they became very cheerful” or “They … until they were all very light-hearted.”
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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