Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Moses

The name that is transliterated as “Moses” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and Polish Sign Language in accordance with the depiction of Moses in the famous statue by Michelangelo (see here ). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


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

American Sign Language also uses the sign depicting the horns but also has a number of alternative signs (see here).

In French Sign Language, a similar sign is used, but it is interpreted as “radiance” (see below) and it culminates in a sign for “10,” signifying the 10 commandments:


“Moses” in French Sign Language (source )

The horns that are visible in Michelangelo’s statue are based on a passage in the Latin Vulgate translation (and many Catholic Bible translations that were translated through the 1950ies with that version as the source text). Jerome, the translator, had worked from a Hebrew text without the niqquds, the diacritical marks that signify the vowels in Hebrew and had interpreted the term קרו (k-r-n) in Exodus 34:29 as קֶ֫רֶן — keren “horned,” rather than קָרַו — karan “radiance” (describing the radiance of Moses’ head as he descends from Mount Sinai).

Even at the time of his translation, Jerome likely was not the only one making that decision as this recent article alludes to.

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting holding a staff. This refers to a number of times where Moses’s staff is used in the context of miracles, including the parting of the sea (see Exodus 14:16), striking of the rock for water (see Exodus 17:5 and following), or the battle with Amalek (see Exodus 17:9 and following).


“Moses” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Estonian Sign Language Moses is depicted with a big beard. (Source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff.)

See also Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration.

Translation commentary on Exod 2:15

The it that Pharaoh heard of refers to the “thing” or “deed” that Moses had done, namely, the act of killing the Egyptian. It may be more natural to say “When the king heard about what had happened” (Good News Translation) or “When the king heard about what Moses had done, he….” He sought to kill Moses is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. Since the king is the one referred to, it is better to understand it as “he tried to have Moses killed.” The same word for kill is used here as in verse 14. Although a generic term, it is used here in the sense of execution for a crime.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Exod 21:5

But if, literally “and if,” now uses the word ʾim for the fifth time for an alternative to verse 4. Plainly says is literally “saying he says,” a Hebrew form that strengthens the force of the verb. So Good News Translation and others have “if the slave declares.” Durham has “says earnestly.” I love my master uses the common word for love that can apply to wife and children, and so Contemporary English Version has “But suppose the slave loves his wife and children so much.” Revised English Bible and New American Bible prefer to use “I am devoted to.” If a language has a number of words for love, the idea of “devotion” or “attachment” should be used in this context.

I will not go out free is not a demand but a choice. Since he has no claim over his wife and children, it may be better to say “I do not wish to go free” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “I do not wish to be released” (Translator’s Old Testament). This is still an incomplete sentence that continues with the next verse.

An alternative translation model is the following:

• But if the slave declares, “I am devoted to you, my wife [or, woman], and my children. I don’t want you to set me free,” ….

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .