The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Obadiah” in English means “a servant of the LORD,” “a worshiper of YHWH.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign referring to the struggle between soul and body. The figure of Obadiah and his prophetic ministry exemplify faithfulness, courageous stance, and steadfastness. In the book of Obadiah, the struggle between soul and body appears as the contrast between pride and humility: “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?'” (Obadiah 1:3). The struggle between soul and body is also manifested in how we relate to those who suffer. The body would choose selfishness, while the soul chooses compassion: “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction” (Obadiah 1:12). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Obadiah” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Obadiah,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts the book of Obadiah as the shortest book in the Old Testament.
The term that is transliterated as “Matthew” in English means “gift of the Lord.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 ).
It is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that combines the sign “M” with the sign for tax, referring to Matthew 9:9. This sign was adopted from Kenyan Sign Language. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Matthew” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that means “Gift of God” (see above). This meaning is highly symbolic, representing the grace Matthew received when he was called to follow Jesus. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Micah” in English is translated in Hungarian Sign Language with a sign that suggests that the prophet directly interprets the word of God to the people. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Micah” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Micah,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “humility” or “obey,” referring to Micah 6:8. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Nahum” in English is translated in Hungarian Sign Language with a sign that is derived from the meaning of his name and refers to divine comfort. The name Nahum means “comforter,” “comforted,” or “consolation.” The name originates from the fuller form Nahumyah, which means “Yahweh consoles or comforts.” (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Nahum” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Nahum,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting “punish a place,” especially referring to Nahum 1 and 3. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ezekiel” in English means “strength of God,” “whom God will strengthen,” “God is strong,” “the man God strengthens.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “vision,” referring to the vision in Ezekiel 1, esp. 1:26 – 1:28. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that originates from the sign for “will” — the prophet Ezekiel represents the will of God as shown in Ezekiel 36:3 that says “prophesy and say: Thus says the Lord GOD.” (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Ezekiel” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Ezekiel,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts Ezekiel receiving an image from God that he passes on.
The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is transliterated as “Habakkuk” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “dialog,” referring to the dialog between Habakkuk and God in chapters 1 and 2. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign referring to direct communication with God; the hand shape is the same as the one used for the sign for complaint. Here, it is directed toward God, as if the prophet were lodging a complaint with him (see Habakkuk 1:2ff.) (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Habakkuk” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Habakkuk,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ruth” in English means “beauty,” “something worth seeing,” “friendship,” “trembling,” “satisfied.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “respect” referring to the respect that she shows for the mother-in-law as shown in Ruth 1:16. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that refers to “woman” and “progress” (the perspective of future). It signifies that Ruth did not return to her people but stayed with her mother-in-law, Naomi, because she was bound to her by deep love, loyalty, and commitment, even after the death of her husband (Naomi’s son). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Ruth” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Ruth,” the second part refers to “book” (source )
The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Zephaniah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that depicts “blessing on a place.” This refers to the blessing of Zephaniah 3:14 and following. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is a one-handed version of the two-handed sign for “explaining”; it refers to the firm mediation of God’s will, which the prophet proclaims and explains to the people. This sign faithfully reflects the prophetic ministry of Zephaniah, who proclaimed the Day of the Lord (see Zephaniah 1:14) with strict firmness, while providing a clear explanation of the people’s sins and future hope. The “explaining” motion within the sign emphasizes the teaching and mediating role through which the prophet made the divine message intelligible to his contemporaries. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Zephaniah” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Zephaniah,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )
