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 7:118

O Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are your descendants: Compare 2 Esd 3.7, 21; 4.30. The address to Adam here is purely rhetorical, and if this presents no problem for a prospective audience, Good News Bible may be followed as a model for this verse. For translators who think that addressing Adam directly may be difficult, we offer this alternative:

• Look at [or, Consider] the trouble that Adam caused. When he sinned, he caused not only his own ruin [or, downfall], but the ruin of all his descendants as well.

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.