American Sign Language

Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)

ark of the covenant

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is sometimes translated as “ark of the covenant” in English (other English options: “pact chest” [translation by John Goldingay, 2018] or “Coffer of the Covenant” [translation by Everett Fox, 1995]) is translated in various ways:

Mairasi: Anasi Farjora or “Covenant Place” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
Uma: “Promise Box” (source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Covenant Chest” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Chest of the Agreement” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Chest of the Initiated-agreement” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Danish Bibelen 2020: kisten med den hellige aftale or “chest with the holy agreement” (source: Ehrensvärd in HIPHIL Novum 8/2023, p. 81ff. )

Following is reverse applique stitching (“mola”) by an unknown Guna artist depicting the ark:

Source: Sacred Art Pilgrim website .

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines “box” and the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark (see Exod 25:18 and following). (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

“Ark of the covenant” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Hagar

The term that is transliterated as “Hagar” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter H and “escaped,” referring to Genesis 21:14. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

Levite

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” and in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

Timothy

The term that is transliterated as “Timothy” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that combines the signs for the letter T and “young,” referring to 1 Timothy 4:12 et al. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

Joseph

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: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

In 1955 and 1956, the Israel Postal Authority released a series of stamps showing symbols relating to the tribes of Israel. Following is the stamp for Joseph, referring to Genesis 49:22:

Source: Israeli Philatelic Federation .

For transliterations of “Joseph” into a large variety of languages, see here .

apostle, apostles

Click here to view graphically

The Greek term that is usually translated as “apostle(s)” in English is (back-) translated in the following ways:

Eastern Highland Otomi, Tzeltal, Western Kanjobal, Western Highland Purepecha, Navajo, Copainalá Zoque, Chol, Balanta-Kentohe, English (original meaning of “apostle”): “the sent ones”
Kituba, Pamona, Mezquital Otomi, Central Pame: “messengers”
Ngäbere: “word carriers”
Southern Subanen: “those commanded to carry the message”
San Blas Kuna: “witnesses to God” (meaning “those who speak up and out for God” (source for this and all above: Bratcher / Nida, except Balanta-Kentohe: Rob Koops)
Mairasi: sasiri atatuemnev nesovnaa or “sent witnesses” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
Ekari: “one-who-goes-and-tells-for-someone” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
Khmer: Christtout (“messenger representing Christ”) or when Jesus addresses them: Tout robas Preah Ang (“his messengers-representatives”) (source: Joseph Hong in The Bible Translator 1996, p. 233ff.)
Pwo Karen: “eyeballs” (i.e., “right-hand men”) (source: David Clark)
Tzeltal, Coatlán Mixe: “spreader-of-words”
Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “one who goes about preaching the good word” (source for this and above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Nyongar: Moorta Ngany Waangki-Koorl or “People I (Jesus) Send” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Ayutla Mixtec: “those who bore the word of God’s mouth”
Chichimeca-Jonaz: “elders messengers” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Scot McKnight (in The Second Testament, publ. 2023) translates it into English as commissioner.

In American Sign Language it is translated with a combination of the signs for “following” plus the sign for “authority” to differentiate it from disciple. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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

Goliath

The term that is transliterated as “Goliath” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a finger pointing to the forehead (a reference to where the stone hit him) followed by the sign for “tall” referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 1 Samuel 17:4. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)

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