Hagar

The name “Hagar” or “Abataza” means “flight” and derived from that “fugitive,” “immigrant,” “sojourner.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

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

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

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

See also Hagar and Her Child in the Wilderness.

Sarai / Sarah

The names that is transliterated as “Sarai” and “Sarah” in English mean “contentious,” “quarrelsome,” “my princesses” (Sarai) and “princess,” “chieftainness,” “noblewoman” (Sarah) (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign depicting coins on a headband, referring to women from the Middle East and North Africa who wear a headband decorated with small coins. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Sarai” and “Sarah” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Sarah .

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 (Genesis 16:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 16:8:

  • Kankanaey: “The angel said, ‘Hagar slave of Sarai, where did-you(sing.)-come-from and where are-you-(sing.)-going?’ She answered then and said, ‘I-am-running-away-from Sarai my boss.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “‘Hagar, maid servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you about to go?'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The angel asked her, ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have- you -come-from and where are- you -going?’ She replied, ‘I ran-away from my mistress Sarai.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said to her, ‘Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ She replied, ‘I have run away from Sarai, my mistress.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 16:8

Hagar, maid of Sarai: the angel, who apparently causes Hagar no fright, does not give a special greeting to Hagar, nor does he tell her not to be frightened. He addresses her by name and status. In some languages the expression maid of Sarai must be rendered “Hagar, you who are Sarai’s maid.” In some languages the greeting form in this context must be fuller in order to be natural. For discussion of maid see Gen 16.1.

Where have you come from and where are you going?: the questions are asked in preparation for the angel’s next speech, which will be a command to go back where she came from. In some languages and cultures these very questions are asked as the regular form of greeting exchanged between people who meet each other walking along the road. But it is important to note that they have a literal meaning here in the context of the angel’s address to Hagar.

I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai: Hagar’s reply is related not to the place she came from but rather to the person she is running away from. Fleeing, the same verb as in verse 6, tells the angel why she is there. For mistress see Gen 16.4.

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 .

Hagar's story

The following is an oral presentation in a dialog style of Hagar’s story to a female audience in Kako:

 

—That many sheep and goats to buy wives and only one wife?—

“Well, Sara couldn’t have children. They laid down together but she never got a belly [pregnant].”

—A sigh of pain—

“But Sara had a work-girl from another tribe and she being Nya Tou [woman of the house] told her work-girl to go lie down with Abram, the rich man.”

—Clicks of agreement—

“So, work-girl named Hagar got a belly

—Yes, yes, yes, Hagar got a belly—

“Well, what do you think? Hagar lifted up her heart [became proud] and turned her head away from Sara.”

—Oh, Oh, Oh, Hagar makes trouble for Nya Tou. Sara’s head will get hot—

“Yes, Sara’s head got hot and she made Hagar work harder and harder. Sara had a leopard’s heart [was cruel] toward Hagar and so one night Hagar ran away from the rich man’s camp.”

—Yi, yi yi, Hagar running to the bush with a belly—

“After going a long way, Hagar got thirsty and knelt down by a spring to drink when she heard the voice of Ndjambie [God] speaking to her.

—Silence—

“Where you going, Hagar?’
“Hagar answered, ‘I am running away from Nya Tou; she has a leopard’s heart.’”

—Go back home, Hagar, take care of your belly—

“Ndjambie told her just that. ‘You will have a male child and you must name him Ndjambie-hears-you (Ishmael).”
“Ndjambie has heard your cries, Hagar.’”

—Silence again—

“Then Hagar asked herself, ‘Have I seen Ndjambie and I am still alive and well?’”
“Hagar named that spring Ndjambie is one who sees me.”

—Did you hear this, Ndjambie hears the cries of a second wife, goes to the bush to find a second wife, hears and sees work-girl with a belly. Oh, sisters, did we ever think such a thing of Ndjambie?—

 

Source: Reyburn 2002, p. 194f.