Abram

The term that is transliterated as “Abram” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign signifying sojourning with a staff, clearly differentiating it from Abraham. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

Similarly, in Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign that demonstrates that he has to wander from his home. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“Abram” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

Seer also Abraham.

Hagar

The term that is transliterated as “Hagar” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter H and “escaped,” referring to Genesis 21:14. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines “Egypt” and “servant,” referring to the fact that Hagar was a slave from Egypt (see Genesis 16:1). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Hagar and Hagar from an Egyptian Christian Perspective .

Ishmael

The term that is transliterated as “Ishmael” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter I and the sign signifying “stubborn” (also similar to “donkey”), referring to Genesis 16:12. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts shooting bow and arrow, referring to the fact that Ishmael was skilled with his bow (see Genesis 21:20). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

More information on Ishmael .

complete verse (Genesis 16:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 16:15:

  • Kankanaey: “When she gave-birth then, (it-was) a male, and Abram named (him) Ismael.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hagar gave birth to a son. Abram named his son, which he had by Hagar, Ishmael.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Hagar returned to Sarai, and later-on she gave-birth to a son. Abram named the child Ishmael.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Hagar later gave birth to a son for Abram, and she gave to her son the name Ishmael.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 16:15

The form of verses 15 and 16 is thought by some interpreters to be from a different writer than the preceding narrative. Translators may find the repetitious style of these verses requires some adjustments to achieve a suitable style.

And Hagar bore Abram a son: it is assumed that Hagar obeyed the angel and returned to Abram’s camp before giving birth. In some languages it may be necessary to make this clear by saying, for example, “Hagar returned to her mistress, and then…” or “After Hagar had gone back….” Bore Abram a son: that is, “gave birth to Abram’s son” or “gave birth to a son. Abram was its father.”

Abram called the name of his son: here it is the father, not the mother, who names the child. Whom Hagar bore is repeated from the first line of this verse, and it may not be suitable stylistically to repeat this. For Ishmael see verse 11.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .