Abraham

The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English is translated in virtually all 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 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.

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: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 1:27

Abram, that is, Abraham: See Gen 17.1-6. Abraham stands in the twentieth generation from the creation of Adam. The words that is translate a pronoun in Hebrew that expresses identification of the names Abram and Abraham. King James Version says “Abram; the same is Abraham.” Revised English Bible expresses this in natural English as “Abram, also known as Abraham” (similarly Good News Translation). Bible en français courant more correctly shows that Abram’s name was changed to Abraham by saying “Abram, who later received the name of Abraham.” It will probably be unnecessary in many languages to use parentheses as in Good News Translation and New International Version.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .