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 9:45

Then Ezra took up the book of the law in the sight of the multitude: After Ezra sat down, he lifted up a copy of God’s Law in the sight of all the people. The book of the law refers to a scroll of the Law (see 1 Esd 6.23 for comments on “scroll”).

For he had the place of honor in the presence of all: The Greek expression rendered he had the place of honor clearly indicates that Ezra was seated, but seated in a position of honor. He had to be seated at a level on the platform high enough for everyone to see him (in the sight of the multitude). This clause may begin the verse and be rendered “He then sat down in a place of honor,” since he was seated before he lifted the scroll of the Law. In the presence of all simply repeats the information in the phrase in the sight of the multitude, and may be omitted (so Good News Bible).

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Ezra then sat down in a place of honor, and lifted the book [or, scroll] of God’s Law so that everyone could see it.

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.