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 .

Sarai / Sarah

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Sarai” and “Sarah” in English 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 .

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 .