Language-specific Insights

Ezekiel

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)


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

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.


“Ezekiel” 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 .

See also Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Ezekiel .

Malachi

The Hebrew and Latin that is transliterated as “Malachi” in English means “angel or messenger of the Lord,” “my messenger.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “offering” referring to Malachi 3:8 and following. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that shows that the book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament.


“Malachi” 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 an address — a firm reminder to the people of what God’s will is. Since the Hebrew name Malachi means “my messenger” or “my envoy,” the sign in sign language refers to an address, as the prophet is God’s spokesperson who conveys his message. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Malachi” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Malachi,” 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 Malachi .

Ruth

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)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts Ruth collecting ears of grain, referring to Ruth 2:2 and following.


“Ruth” 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 “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 )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Ruth .

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

Zechariah (prophet)

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Zechariah” or “Zachariah” means “whom YHWH remembers,” “remember God.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts predicting the future.


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

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is based on calling attention to God’s will and encouraging the building of the temple (see Zechariah 4:99. This sign clearly distinguishes the prophet from the previously mentioned New Testament Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist). While the latter’s sign refers to muteness, the prophet’s sign captures his active theological and historical role — the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and spiritual awakening. This distinction highlights the precision of biblical sign language: they do not merely denote names, but encode the person’s significance in salvation history within the signs themselves, thereby aiding believers in identification and scriptural interpretation. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Zechariah” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Zechariah,” the second part refers to “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 .

Haggai

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is transliterated as “Haggai” in English means “festival of the LORD,” “born of a festival day,” “my solemn feast.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts the prophet pointing to God as his message to the people in Jerusalem.


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

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated 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)


“Haggai” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Haggai,” 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 .

Job

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Job” in English means “the persecuted,” “hated,” “one ever returning to God,” “he that weeps,” “a desert.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign for “patience,” referring to James 5:11 and many other passages within the book of Job. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “suffering.”


“Job” 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 ulcers (sores) covering his body (see Job 2:7). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Job” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Job,” the second part refers to “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 .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Job .

Hosea

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Hosea” in English means “Jehovah is help or salvation,” “salvation.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “repent,” particularly referring to Hosea 6:1 – Hosea 6:3. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts going away and returning, referring to Hosea going away and finding the prostitute Gomer to marry and then returning home with her (see Hosea 1:2 and Hosea 1:3).


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

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign thatrefers to the faithful acceptance of God’s inexplicable command (as one who is able, as it were, to swallow the evil—that is, to endure his wife’s infidelity — see Hosea 3:1). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Hosea” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Hosea,” 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 .

The following is a stained glass window of Hosea in the Augsburg Cathedral in Germany. It is part of the “Prophet windows of Augsburg ” from the 12th century which is assumed to be the oldest remaining set of church windows:

Photo by Hans Bernhard, hosted by Wikimedia Common under the GFDL-CC-BY-SA-all license

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

More information on Hosea .