Language-specific Insights

Joel

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Joel” in English means “LORD of God,” “the LORD is God,” “the LORD is might.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated in two different ways. The first is with a sign depicting “Pentecost flame,” referring to Peter’s speech on Pentecost in which he quotes Joel in Acts 2:16 and following. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


First translation of “Joel” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

The second is with a sign for “grasshopper,” referring to Joel 1:4 and Joel 2:25.


Second translation of “Joel” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

See also locust (different kinds in Joel 1:4 and 2:25).

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts to tear ones’ heart, referring to Joel 2:13.


“Joel” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that refers to the fact that God’s message, through the prophet, was perceived and proclaimed in the widest possible scope (see Joel 2:28). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Joel” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Joel,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )

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

More information on Joel (prophet) .

wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Kako: “heart thinking” (source: Reyburn 2002, p. 190)

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a hand gesture referring to God to indicate a human quality to communicate that wisdom does not originate from man but is linked to and connected with the fear of God (source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group):


“Wisdom” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

Golgotha

The Aramaic or Syriac that is transliterated in English as “Golgotha” is translated in Hungarian Sign Language with a two-handed sign: the lower hand indicates the place of the skull (see Mark 15:22 et al.), while the other hand depicts the sign for the three crosses of Golgotha (see Mark 15:7 et al.). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Golgotha” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also Calvary.

Amos

The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Amos” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “renovate / renew,” particularly referring to Amos 9:11. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with the sign that depicts Amos’ move from the Southern Kingdom of Judah into the Northern Kingdom of Israel to prophesy against it.


“Amos” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign reflecting the meaning and significance of the Hebrew name: burden-bearer or one who carries a load. While the biblical text does not explicitly define the name, its meaning indirectly alludes to the prophet’s ministry, as he proclaimed heavy judgments (burdens) against Israel. “I will crush you as a cart crushes, when loaded with grain.” (Amos 2:13). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Amos” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Amos,” the second and third parts refer to “prophet” and “book” (source )

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

Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Amos from the 18th century (found in the Transfiguration Church, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia). The words on the scroll are extracted from Isaiah 13:6: “For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty!”

 
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

More information on Amos (prophet) .

Obadiah

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 Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “mountain,” referring to Obadiah 1:16. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

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.


“Obadiah” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

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

More information on Obadiah .

Matthew

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)


“Matthew” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also tax collector.

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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: The Apostle Matthew .

Micah

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)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts “speaking directly.”


“Micah” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

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

More information about Micah (prophet) .

Nahum

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)


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

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

More information on Nahum .