Abraham

The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English is translated in the vast majority of sign languages, including American Sign Language with the sign signifying “hold back arm” (referring to Genesis 22:12).


“Abraham” in American Sign Language (source )

In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign for that demonstrates his new destiny. Previously, he had been called to wander from his home, and the name “Abram” reflected this movement (see here). The new sign name is in one location and stays there, showing Abraham will be given a land to call his own. At this time, Abraham was in the southern part of Canaan, which is shown on the base arm by the location near the elbow. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“Abraham” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

In Tira it is transliterated as Abaram. The choice of this, rather than the widely-known “Ibrahim,” as used in the Tira translation of the Qu’ran, was to offset it against the Muslim transliteration which originates from Arabic. (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )

Click or tap here to see two short video clips about Abraham (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also our ancestor Abraham and Abram.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Abraham .

complete verse (Genesis 24:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:6:

  • Kankanaey: “Abraham said in-return, ‘No/Stop, it is not possible that you (sing.) will take my child there,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Abraham said — ‘Don’t you go [and] take him back there by any means.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Abraham replied, ‘Never take Isaac there!” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Abraham replied to him, ‘No! Be certain that you don’t take my son there!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:6

The reason for Abraham’s reply here is given in Gen 24.7. The reply is actually a strong negative, which will naturally begin with “No!” in many languages; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, for instance, has “No, do not….”

See to it translates a command meaning “to be on guard,” “to watch out,” or “to take care.” Good News Translation says “Make sure that you don’t…,” and New English Bible, Revised English Bible “On no account are you to….”

Take my son back there: take may be translated by the same term used by the servant in his question in Gen 24.5. There refers to Abraham’s native country.

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 .