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 18:11

Verse 11 continues the words that Obadiah is speaking to Elijah. Within the words of Obadiah are two further layers of direct quotation: (a) the words of Elijah (Go, tell your lord) and (b) the words that Elijah tells Obadiah to say to Ahab (Behold, Elijah is here). Good News Translation restructures this verse and eliminates the embedded quotations completely. This will be a good model for many other languages to follow. However, the question format of Good News Translation may not be suitable for some languages. Another possible model is “And now, you are sending me to say to my master that you are arriving!” (Parole de Vie).

The transition And now contrasts the present situation of Obadiah with what was described in the previous verse. In some languages it may be better to translate “But now” (New International Version).

For the other expressions in this verse, refer to verse 8. As there, your lord refers to King Ahab. Here it may be translated “the king” or simply “him.”

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 .