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.

Jacob

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

In German Sign Language it is a sign that shows the touching of the hip, described in Genesis 32:25:


“Jacob” in German Sign Language (source: Taub und katholisch )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Jacob” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

See also Esau.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 6:8

He said to me may be rendered “He answered” (Good News Bible), since God answers Ezra’s questions.

From Abraham to Isaac: Most Latin manuscripts have “From Abraham to Abraham,” which we believe is the correct reading. Good News Bible follows this reading by saying “The interval will be no longer than that between Abraham and Abraham.” With this answer God tells Ezra that the changing of the age cannot be told; it is like asking where Abraham ends and Abraham begins. Other possible models here are “That is like asking where Abraham ends and Abraham begins” and “That is like asking, ‘Where does Abraham begin and where does Abraham end?’ ”

Because from him were born Jacob and Esau, for Jacob’s hand held Esau’s heel from the beginning: See Gen 25.24-26. The conjunction because may be omitted (so Good News Bible). The pronoun him refers to Abraham, who was the grandfather of Jacob and Esau. Some scribes may have changed the second occurrence of “Abraham” to Isaac to fit him in the text. From the beginning may be rendered “when the twins were born.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• He answered, “That is like asking where Abraham ends and Abraham begins. Abraham was the ancestor [or, grandfather] of Jacob and Esau, and when the twins were born, Jacob was grasping his brother’s heel.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.