Ezra

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Ezra” in English is translated in Hungarian Sign Language with a sign that is based on the meaning of the Hebrew name: “help”. The prophet assisted his people in returning to God. The sign for his name uses the handshape of the sign for “back,” but its direction points upward, toward God. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Ezra” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Ezra,” the second part refers to “book” (source )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “scribe” referring to Ezra’s profession. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts the return from Babylon to Jerusalem and toward God.


“Ezra” 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 Ezra .

Translation commentary on 1 Esdras 9:40

So Ezra the chief priest brought the law, for all the multitude, men and women, and all the priests to hear the law, on the new moon of the seventh month: For Ezra the chief priest and the law, see verse 39; for all the multitude, see verse 38; and for on the new moon of the seventh month, see verse 37b. Good News Bible omits this final phrase, but it is used here for emphasis, so translators should keep it if possible. His reading of the Law on this day when all the people gathered together may have been in accordance with the regulation that every seventh year there was to be a proclamation of the Law during the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (see Deut 31.10-13). An alternative model for this verse is:

• So Ezra the High Priest brought out the book of the Law, so that all the people, men and women alike, and all the priests, could hear it read [or, him read it to them]. This happened on the first day of the seventh month.

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.