Epaphroditus

The name that is transliterated as “Epaphroditus” in English means “lovely,” “handsome,” “charming.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “lovely” (or “beloved of Aphrodite,” the meaning of the name) and “beloved friend” (of Paul — see Philippians 2:25). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Epaphroditus” in Libras (source )

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

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 .

Augustus (Caesar)

The name that is transliterated as “Augustus” in English means “venerable,” “sacred,” “kingly.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “C” (for Caesar, the title of the powerful ruler of Rome) and “adopted” since he was adopted by Julius Caesar (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Augustus” in Libras (source )

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

Abagtha

The name “Abagtha” or “Abataza” means “fortune,” “prosperous,” “given by fortune.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that signifies that he is one of the seven officers who served the king and “given by God.” (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Abagtha” in Libras (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 Abagtha .

Archippus

The name that is transliterated as “Archippus” in English means “master of the horse.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “soldier” and two people (Paul and Archippus). This refers to Philemon 1:2 where Paul calls Archippus a “fellow soldier.” (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Archippus” in Libras (source )

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

Erastus

The name that is transliterated as “Erastus” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that is reminiscent of signs such as “treasurer” or “city administrator of the city” (in reference to Romans 16:23). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Erastus” in Libras (source )

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

Hagar

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)


“Hagar” 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 .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Hagar and Hagar from an Egyptian Christian Perspective .

See also Hagar and Her Child in the Wilderness.

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 .