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 4:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 4:36:

  • Kupsabiny: “He called Gehazi and said to (him), ‘Call for me please this lady of Shunem.’ (He) called (her). When she had arrived, Elisha said, ‘Take/hold your son.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Elisha sent Gehazi to call the child’s mother. He called her. When that woman had come, Elisha said, "Take your son."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Elisha called Gehazi and told-him, ‘Call his mother.’ So he called her. When the woman arrived Elisha said to her, ‘Take your child.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. He said, ‘Call the boy’s mother!’ So Gehazi went and called her, and when she came in, Elisha said, ‘Here, take your son!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 4:36

He summoned Gehazi: Once again the referent of the pronoun he may have to be made clearer by using the proper name “Elisha.” It should be quite clear that it was the prophet, and not the revived child, who called Gehazi.

Call this Shunammite: As in verse 12, this direct quotation of Revised Standard Version is made indirect by Good News Translation and this may be more natural in certain other languages. Instead of saying this Shunammite, some translators will find it much more natural to refer to the woman as “the boy’s mother” (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

And when she came to him, he said: The pronoun references here may be particularly confusing in languages where masculine and feminine pronouns are not distinguished. New Century Version makes these pronouns unambiguous by saying “When she came, Elisha said” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Another possible model is “When the woman came to him, Elisha said.”

Take up your son: The Hebrew verb used here has the basic meaning of “carry” or “lift up.” In this context it may be translated “Pick up” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Century Version). The Good News Translation rendering at this point is a bit misleading since the woman already knew where her son was. It was she who had placed him there. Bible en français courant translates more dynamically “Come take back your son.”

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 .