Elijah

The name that is transliterated as “Elijah” in English means “God-LORD,” “strength of the LORD,” “my God is YHWH.” “the LORD God.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated as “whirlwind” (according to 2 Kings 2:11) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


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

Click or tap here to see how other sign languages are translating “Elijah”

In American Sign Language it is translated with a depiction of being taken up to heaven with a chariot of fire. (Source: ASL Sign Language Directory )


“Elijah” in American Sign Language (source )

Likewise in Estonian Sign Language, but with a different sign (source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff.)


“Elijah” in Estonian Sign Language (source )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “fire” (referring to 1 Kings 18:38). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Elijah” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

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 Elijah from the late 13h 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: Elijah .

Translation commentary on 1 Esdras 9:26 - 9:35

Of Israel …: This is the fifth and largest category of men who had to send their foreign wives away. They were laymen. They are simply called Of Israel. Good News Bible has simply “Others,” and Contemporary English Version says “Here is a list of the others from Israel who had foreign wives,” which is a helpful model. An alternative model for these verses 26-35 is:

• 26 Among the other men of Israel were these: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Asibias, and Benaiah from the Parosh family. 27 Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah from the Elam family. 28 Elioenai, Eliashib, Othoniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Zerdaiah from the Zattu family. 29 Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Emathis of the Bebai family. 30 Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth from the Mani family. 31 Naathus, Moossias, Laccunus, Naidus, Bescaspasmys, Sesthel, Belnuus, and Manasseas from the Addi family. 32 Elionas, Asaias, Melchias, Sabbaias, and Simon Chosamaeus from the Annan family. 33 Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Manasseh, and Shimei from the Hashum family. 34 Jeremai, Maadai, Amram, Joel, Mamdai, Bedeiah, Vaniah, Carabasion, Eliashib, Machnadebai, Eliasis, Binnui, Elialis, Shimei, Shelemiah, and Nathaniah from the Bani family. Shashai, Azarel, Azael, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Joseph from the Ezora family. 35 Mattithiah, Zabad, Iddo, Joel, and Benaiah from the Nebo family.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.