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 7:116

I answered and said: At the beginning of this new subsection it will be better to say “I said to Uriel the angel” (Contemporary English Version).

This is my first and last word, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, had restrained him from sinning: Compare verses 62-69. Good News Bible offers a good model here. Contemporary English Version is also good with “I still believe what I told you before—it would have been much better if the world had not produced Adam, or at least if it had not given him the ability to sin.”

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.