The name “Hagar” or “Abataza” means “flight” and derived from that “fugitive,” “immigrant,” “sojourner.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
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: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Hagar” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines “Egypt” and “servant,” referring to the fact that Hagar was a slave from Egypt (see Genesis 16:1). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Bathsheba” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “woman” and “bath” referring to 2 Samuel 11:2. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Greek that is transliterated as “Mary (of Bethany)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a signs for “woman” and “listen,” referring to Luke 10:39. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The name that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English means “may God add,” “he shall add,” “increasing.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
It 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: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Joseph” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Asherah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “woman” and “idol.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Rahab” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “prostitute” referring to Joshua 2:1. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
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 name that is transliterated as “Elizabeth” or “Elisabeth” in English means “God of the oath,” “God is her oath,” a worshiper of God,” “my God has sworn.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
