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 47:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 47:28:

  • Kankanaey: “Ten and seven years is the time- Jacob -stayed in Egipto until he yeared 147.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, all together he lived one hundred and forty seven years.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jacob lived in Egipto for 17 years; he lived until the age of 147 years.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years. Altogether he lived 147 years.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 47:28

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: in verse 9 Jacob told the king that he was one hundred and thirty years old. After that he lived another seventeen years in Egypt, which made him one hundred and forty-seven when he died. However, the death of Jacob is not reported yet. Instead Jacob goes on in chapters 48 and 49 to perform various acts that must be done before his death, which is recorded in 49.33.

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 .