Elisha

The name that is transliterated as “Elisha” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying “help + prophet.” (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Elisha” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “bald,” referring to 2 Kings 2:23. This is a sign that was adapted from Kenyan Sign Language. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign depicting “putting on mantel” referring to 2 Kings 2:13. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Elisha from the 18th century (found in the Transfiguration Church, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia).

 
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 )

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 19:17

This verse begins in Hebrew with the verbal transition that is sometimes rendered “And it will happen.”

Him who escapes: The pronoun him is to be understood in the sense of “any person,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” The Hebrew verb rendered escapes is actually a passive form of a verb meaning “save” or “deliver.” But the meaning is adequately translated by the verb “escape” in English. Others may use an expression like “avoids death” or “flees death.”

The sword of Hazael: See Elisha’s words to Hazael in 2 Kgs 8.12. For the use of sword here, see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.8.

Him who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay: There is no record in the Old Testament of Elisha killing people who escaped death from Jehu.

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 .