Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Moses

The name that is transliterated as “Moses” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and Polish Sign Language in accordance with the depiction of Moses in the famous statue by Michelangelo (see here ). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


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

American Sign Language also uses the sign depicting the horns but also has a number of alternative signs (see here).

In French Sign Language, a similar sign is used, but it is interpreted as “radiance” (see below) and it culminates in a sign for “10,” signifying the 10 commandments:


“Moses” in French Sign Language (source )

The horns that are visible in Michelangelo’s statue are based on a passage in the Latin Vulgate translation (and many Catholic Bible translations that were translated through the 1950ies with that version as the source text). Jerome, the translator, had worked from a Hebrew text without the niqquds, the diacritical marks that signify the vowels in Hebrew and had interpreted the term קרו (k-r-n) in Exodus 34:29 as קֶ֫רֶן — keren “horned,” rather than קָרַו — karan “radiance” (describing the radiance of Moses’ head as he descends from Mount Sinai).

Even at the time of his translation, Jerome likely was not the only one making that decision as this recent article alludes to.

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting holding a staff. This refers to a number of times where Moses’s staff is used in the context of miracles, including the parting of the sea (see Exodus 14:16), striking of the rock for water (see Exodus 17:5 and following), or the battle with Amalek (see Exodus 17:9 and following).


“Moses” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Estonian Sign Language Moses is depicted with a big beard. (Source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff.)

See also Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration.

Translation commentary on Exod 11:1

The LORD said to Moses omits the conjunction waw with which most sentences in the Hebrew begin. Good News Translation (“Then the LORD said to Moses”) treats it as a transitional at the beginning of a new episode. Another way to express this transition and relate this verse to the previous chapter is “While darkness was still covering Egypt, the LORD said to Moses, ….” There is no textual or linguistic basis for New International Version‘s use of the pluperfect (“Now the LORD had said to Moses”), for the simple past tense of the verb is used. The possibility that 11.1-3 is an editorial insertion into the narrative at this point is discussed in the introductory remarks above.

Yet one plague more is literally “still one plague,” suggesting “one last plague” (Revised English Bible), or “only one more punishment” (Good News Translation). The word used here for plague has the basic meaning of touch or hurt. It is frequently used in reference to leprosy, but only here in reference to the plagues of Egypt (Jerusalem Bible “disaster”; Fox “blow”; and Durham “stroke of judgment”). In many languages it will be necessary to change the nominal clause Yet one plague more … into a verbal one; for example, “I am going to punish [or, hurt] the king of Egypt and his people one more time” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

I will bring clearly indicates that Yahweh alone will bring on this final plague. Upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt singles out “the king of Egypt” (Good News Translation), but it also includes all of “his people” (Good News Translation). Afterwards means after the plague has occurred. One may also render this as “After I have done this,” or “After I have punished the Egyptians,” or even “When I stop punishing the Egyptians.” He will let you go hence refers to all the Israelites (you is plural). Hence is literally “from this [place].” Another way to express this clause is “he will let you [plural] leave this land.”

The final clause in this verse presents some difficulty. When he lets you go is one word in the Hebrew that means “regarding his letting go”; but the you is not present. Furthermore, it is not clear whether the following word (kalah), which means “he completes,” or “it is complete,” should go with what precedes or what follows. New English Bible (and Revised English Bible) assumes that the Hebrew kalah should really be kallah (“bride”) and translates “as a man dismisses a rejected bride.” Most interpreters have not seen the need for this change, for the following words, he will drive you away, literally mean “driving he will drive you from this [place].” The emphatic form suggests that the word kalah should be understood as completely, or “without restrictions.” Up to then Pharaoh was willing to permit a partial exodus, without the families or cattle. But now Yahweh announces an exodus without limitations, which the tenth mighty act will bring about. Good News Translation translates “he will drive all of you out of here.” And New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “he will drive you out of here one and all.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .