Canaan

The term that is transliterated as “Canaan” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign loosely referencing the act of hiding/covering one’s face in shame. The association of “shame” with the name “Canaan” comes from Genesis 9, specifically verse 9:25. This sign was adapted from a similar sign in Kenyan Sign Language (see here). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Canaan” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Canaan in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jacob” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Esau.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jacob .

complete verse (Genesis 46:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 46:6:

  • Kankanaey: “They also took-along their livestock and the other possessions that they had-sweated-for during their time-of-staying in Canaan, and they went to Egipto. All of Jacob’s offspring/descendants also went-along” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They went to the land of Egypt, taking all their cattle, all the things they had collected in Canaan and all [their] offspring.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They took/brought their animals and possessions which they had-collected/gathered in Canaan. Jacob also took to Egipto all his descendants: his children and grandchildren.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Jacob and all his family went to Egypt. They took with them the livestock and all the other possessions that they had acquired in Canaan.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 46:6

They also took their cattle and their goods … Canaan: They refers to the sons of Jacob. Cattle refers to all kinds of livestock and may be rendered as “livestock” or “flocks and herds.” Goods translates the same word as used in 14.11 and refers to moveable possessions.

Gained in the land of Canaan: that is, “that they had got [or, acquired; or, obtained] while living in Canaan.”

Jacob and all his offspring with him: offspring translates the Hebrew word for “seed” and refers collectively to the living descendants of Jacob. Translators may find it best to place this clause at the beginning of this verse; for example, “Jacob and all his descendants went to Egypt. They drove their herds and took with them all the possessions they had acquired in Canaan.”

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 .