Elisha

The name that is transliterated as “Elisha” in English means “God the Savior,” “to whom God is salvation,” “God of salvation,” “God is Savior.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “help + prophet.” (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Elisha” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “bald,” referring to 2 Kings 2:23. This is a sign that was adapted from Kenyan Sign Language. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Elisha” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign depicting “putting on mantel” referring to 2 Kings 2:13. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Elisha .

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

complete verse (2 Kings 2:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 2:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, that water became clean from then until today because of the words which Elisha said.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The water there has remained pure even until today, just like Elisha said.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And since that, the water is now cleansed, according-to what Elisha had-said that will-happen.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And the water became pure, just as Elisha said it would be. Since that time it has always remained pure.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 2:22

So: The common Hebrew conjunction here shows a kind of logical relationship. As a result of the actions of Elisha, the water is said to have remained pure up to the time of the writing of 2 Kings. The original readers would probably have seen a parallel between what Elisha did and the incident long ago when Moses sweetened the waters of Marah (Exo 15.23-25).

The water has been wholesome: As in the previous verse, a more literal rendering would be “the waters have been healed.” Translators should seek the most natural way of expressing this purification in their own language.

To this day; that is, the time when this text was written. See the comments at 1 Kgs 8.8.

According to the word which Elisha spoke: The point of this statement is that what happened was precisely what Elisha said would happen at the end of the previous verse. The New American Bible rendering, “just as Elisha prophesied,” probably goes a bit too far since it introduces the element of prophecy, which is not really in the text.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 2:22

2:22a And the waters there have been healthy to this day,

And the water has been pure/clean to this day,

-or-

And the water became clean/good and has remained so.

2:22b according to the word spoken by Elisha.

just as Elisha had said.

-or-

It happened exactly as Elisha had said.

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