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 7:11

For I made the world for their sake: See 2 Esd 6.55. God made the world for Israel’s sake. The conjunction For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version).

And when Adam transgressed my statutes, what had been made was judged: When Adam sinned and disobeyed God’s laws, all creation fell under God’s judgment, since the world was no longer the good place it was when God created it (see Gen 1.31). The conjunction and may be rendered “but” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version) to introduce the unexpected idea here.

The first person pronouns I and my refer to God even though the speaker is Uriel. Once again the writer makes no distinction between God and the angel who delivers God’s message. Contemporary English Version makes it clear that these pronouns refer to God by rendering this verse as follows:

• God created this world for them, but when Adam disobeyed him, God punished the entire world.

Another possible model is:

• God created this world for them, but when Adam sinned [or, disobeyed God’s laws], God punished the entire world.

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.