Adam

The name that is transliterated as “Adam” in English means “earthy or red earth,” “of the ground,” “taken out of the red earth.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “rib” (referring to Genesis 2:21). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Adam” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Spanish Sign Language it is a sign that combines apple/fruit + man. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In Kenyan Sign Language it is a sign pointing to the Adam’s apple (laryngeal prominence). (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 Eve.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Adam .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 4:30

For a grain of evil seed was sown in Adam’s heart from the beginning: See the comments on 2 Esd 3.21. The conjunction For introduces Adam’s sin as the reason for all the evil that people have done and will do. Good News Bible leaves it implied. This clause may be rendered “The enemy planted an evil seed in Adam’s heart at the very beginning which began to grow.”

And how much ungodliness it has produced until now, and will produce until the time of threshing comes!: This exclamation gives the result of Adam’s sin. And how much ungodliness it has produced until now may be translated “Now look at all the ungodliness it has produced since then,” “Now look at all the evil that humans have done since then,” or “and since then everyone has constantly sinned against God” (Contemporary English Version). The time of threshing refers to the time when evil is harvested. Good News Bible mentions that this will happen “at Judgment Day,” the day when God judges everyone.

We suggest the following models for this verse:

• An evil seed began to grow in Adam’s heart at the very beginning, and look at all the ungodliness that has sprung up since then! And there will be even more before the harvest comes.

• At the very beginning, the enemy planted a small seed of evil in Adam’s heart. Now look at all the evil that humans have done since then. And they will do even more evil [or, sin even more] before that evil is finally harvested.

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.