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 2 Kings 4:36

He summoned Gehazi: Once again the referent of the pronoun he may have to be made clearer by using the proper name “Elisha.” It should be quite clear that it was the prophet, and not the revived child, who called Gehazi.

Call this Shunammite: As in verse 12, this direct quotation of Revised Standard Version is made indirect by Good News Translation and this may be more natural in certain other languages. Instead of saying this Shunammite, some translators will find it much more natural to refer to the woman as “the boy’s mother” (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

And when she came to him, he said: The pronoun references here may be particularly confusing in languages where masculine and feminine pronouns are not distinguished. New Century Version makes these pronouns unambiguous by saying “When she came, Elisha said” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Another possible model is “When the woman came to him, Elisha said.”

Take up your son: The Hebrew verb used here has the basic meaning of “carry” or “lift up.” In this context it may be translated “Pick up” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Century Version). The Good News Translation rendering at this point is a bit misleading since the woman already knew where her son was. It was she who had placed him there. Bible en français courant translates more dynamically “Come take back your son.”

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