Elijah

The name that is transliterated as “Elijah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “whirlwind” (according to 2 Kings 2:11) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


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

Click or tap here to see how other sign languages are translating “Elijah”

In American Sign Language it is translated with a depiction of being taken up to heaven with a chariot of fire. (Source: ASL Sign Language Directory )


“Elijah” in American Sign Language (source )

Likewise in Estonian Sign Language, but with a different sign (source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff.)


“Elijah” in Estonian Sign Language (source )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “fire” (referring to 1 Kings 18:38). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Elijah” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Elijah from the late 13h century.

 
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration.

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 17:13

Fear not: Good News Translation says “Don’t worry.” While the emotions of fear and worry are not identical, the intent of the command here is to calm the anxieties of the woman and let her know that “Everything will be fine” (Contemporary English Version).

But first make me a little cake of it is literally “only make me from there a little cake first.” The prophet insists that the woman go ahead with her plan to prepare a meal for herself and her son. But before doing so, he asks that she first bake a small loaf for him. The reason for this seemingly selfish request will be given in the verse that follows.

The Hebrew noun rendered cake (also in 1 Kgs 19.6) refers to a flat, round loaf baked on a hot stone or on hot coals. Translators should avoid giving the impression of a light, sweet dessert-type cake since this loaf contained no sugar. Compare Gen 18.6 and Exo 12.39.

Afterward make for yourself and your son: Revised Standard Version follows the form of the Hebrew by having no object after the verb make. But the Revised Standard Version translation is not natural English, so New Revised Standard Version says “make something.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .