Jeremiah

The name that is transliterated as “Jeremiah” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign signifying “prophet (seeing into the future)” and “crying.” (Source: Phil King in Journal of Translation 16/2 2020, p. 33ff.)


“Jeremiah” in American Sign Language (source )

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts to lament often.


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jeremiah .

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

Isaiah

The name that is transliterated as “Isaiah” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the signs signifying “save + prophet” (referring to Genesis 2:21). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Isaiah” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In French Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts coals that touch Isaiah’s lips (referring to Isaiah 6:6 and 6:7):


“Isaiah” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

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 Isaiah from the 18th century (found in the Transfiguration Church, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia). The text in the scrollis from Isaiah 2:2: “In the last days […] shall be established.”

 
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: Isaiah .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 2:18

I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah: In 2 Esd 1.39-40 God says the Jewish prophets of the past will be the leaders of his new people. Here he continues that idea. For my servants, see the comments on 2 Esd 1.32. Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version render this clause as “I will send my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah to help you.”

According to their counsel … may be rendered “They have suggested [or, asked] that…” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits: Compare Rev 22.2. The twelve trees probably represent the twelve apostles. The idea is that the twelve apostles have assumed the role of leadership once held by the prophets. The verb consecrated (literally “sanctified”) means these trees are holy, that is, set apart for God.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• I will send my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah to help you. They have asked me to prepare twelve holy trees [or, twelve trees that have been dedicated to me] for you, full of different kinds of fruit, and I have done so.

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.