Miriam

The name “Miriam” or “Abataza” means “bitterness,” “rebellion” and “star of the sea.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In some Semitic languages, the transliteration for “Miriam” is identical to “Mary,” testifying to the fact that these names are identical (Arabic and the many translations that are reliant on Arabic: مَرْيَم, Hebrew: מִרְיָם, Ge’ez / Amharic and related languages: ማርያም).

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “tambourine” referring to Exodus 15:20. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Miriam” 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 .

The following is part of an artwork by Indian-German artist Lucy D’Souza-Krone (b. 1949):

“D’Souza’s painting of Miriam dancing at the river is one of a series of ‘Biblical Women’ reproduced as the 1990 Lenten veil of Misereor, Germany. Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron, celebrated the liberation of her people from their Egyptian oppressors. Her dance was supported by other women who joined with her in an act of celebration. Writing of the story the artist adds that ‘water is a predominant element in the scene reminding us also of the physical hardship facing women in India as they often have to walk many miles for a pot of water.'” (Source for this and the image: The Bible Through Asian Eyes by Masao Takenaka and Ron O’Grady 1991)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Miriam .

Aaron

The name that is transliterated as “Aaron” in English means “light,” “a mountain of strength” “to be high.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Catalan Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language it is translated as “stones on chest plate” (according to Exodus 28:15-30) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


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

In Colombian Sign Language, Honduras Sign Language, and American Sign Language, the chest plate is outlined (in ASL it is outlined using the letter “A”):


“Aaron” in ASL (source )

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 Moses, more information on Aaron , and this lectionary in The Christian Century .

complete verse (1 Chronicles 6:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 6:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “And Amram, he had two sons and those were Aaron and Moses together with a daughter who was called Miriam.
    Aaron had four sons and those were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam.
    The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The children of Amram were Aaron, Moises, and Miriam. The children of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Itamar.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Amram’s children were Miriam and her younger brothers Aaron and Moses.
    Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Moses

The name that is transliterated as “Moses” in English means “taken out of the water,” “saved out of the water,” “a son.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language and Polish Sign Language with a sign in accordance with the depiction of Moses in the famous statue by Michelangelo (see here ). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


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

American Sign Language also uses the sign depicting the horns but also has a number of alternative signs (see here ).

In French Sign Language, a similar sign is used, but it is interpreted as “radiance” (see below) and it culminates in a sign for “10,” signifying the 10 commandments:


“Moses” in French Sign Language (source )

The horns that are visible in Michelangelo’s statue are based on a passage in the Latin Vulgate translation (and many Catholic Bible translations that were translated through the 1950ies with that version as the source text). Jerome, the translator, had worked from a Hebrew text without the niqquds, the diacritical marks that signify the vowels in Hebrew and had interpreted the term קרו (k-r-n) in Exodus 34:29 as קֶ֫רֶן — keren “horned,” rather than קָרַו — karan “radiance” (describing the radiance of Moses’ head as he descends from Mount Sinai).

In Swiss-German Sign Language (and Hungarian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign depicting holding a staff. This refers to a number of times where Moses’s staff is used in the context of miracles, including the parting of the sea (see Exodus 14:16), striking of the rock for water (see Exodus 17:5 and following), or the battle with Amalek (see Exodus 17:9 and following).


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

In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign that depicts the eye make up he would have worn as the adopted son of an Egyptian princess. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“Moses” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

In Korean Sign Language it is translated with the sign that depicts the arms held up by Moses to assure the Israelites victory over the Amalekites (see Exodus 17:11).


“Moses” in Korean Sign Language, source: Korean Sign Language Bible House

In Estonian Sign Language Moses is depicted with a big beard. (Source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff. )


“Moses” in Estonian Sign Language, source: Glossary of the EKNK Toompea kogudus

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: Moses .

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:3

The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam: The Hebrew word translated children is the same one rendered “sons” in the previous verse. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “Sons” here. However, the context clearly requires a broader meaning, and translators may wish to make clear that Miriam was a daughter (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant), while Aaron and Moses were sons. Menge says “And the sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses, and (their sister) Miriam.” In languages where the name Miriam is recognized as feminine, it may not be necessary to specify that Miriam was a daughter, but in those languages where this is not the case, the Good News Translation model may be more helpful.

The sons of Aaron …: Good News Translation adds the number “four” as the context allows. Good News Translation also starts a new paragraph here since the subject of Aaron’s sons is seen as a new topic (also Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 6:3

6:3a The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.

Amram’s sons ⌊were⌋ Aaron and Moses, and ⌊his daughter was⌋ Miriam.
-or-
Amram ⌊was⌋ the father of Aaron and Moses and Miriam(fem).

6:3b The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Aaron’s sons ⌊were⌋ Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
-or-
Aaron ⌊was⌋ the father of Nadab and Abihu and Eleazar and Ithamar.

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