Zephaniah

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)


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

The Swiss-German Sign Language translation refers to the same passage with a sign for “good news.”


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

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 )

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 Zephaniah .

Joseph

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)


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joseph .

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

Cain

The name that is transliterated as “Cain” in English means “possession,” “acquisition,” “fabrication.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is transliterated as Kaḭ in Ngambay. In a translatory coincidence Kaḭ is very similar to the Ngambay word kain or “to flee” which is what Cain does according to Genesis 4:14. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In the Protestant tradition of Mandarin Chinese it is transliterated as Gāiyǐn (该隐) which can be understood as “should hide” or “should be hidden.” (Source: Zetzsche)

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “bad.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Cain” 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 .

See also Abel and Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Cain .

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 .

Jezebel

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Jezebel” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign depicting “striking serpent” representing her deceitfulness. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jezebel” 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: Jezebel and Jezebel from an African-American Perspective ..

Job

The name 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 .

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 .

James (brother of Jesus)

The Greek that is transliterated as “James” is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts putting faith into action.


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “tongue,” referring to James 3:5 and following. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“James” 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 .

Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of James from the 16th century.

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 )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: James and Did Jesus Have Brothers and Sisters? .