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 )

Aaron

The name that is transliterated as “Aaron” in English is translated in Catalan Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language as “stones on chest plate” (according to Exodus 28:15-30) (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


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

In Colombian Sign Language, Honduras Sign Language, and American Sign Language, the chest plate is outlined (in ASL it is outlined using the letter “A”):


“Aaron” in ASL (source )

See also Moses and this lectionary in The Christian Century .

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 5:20

Good News Translation begins a new paragraph with this verse, since it marks a change of scene. The three clauses (a, b, c) may have to be rearranged as Good News Translation has done, to agree with the sequence of events.

• a. They met M and A

• b. who were waiting

• c. as they came forth

• c. As they were leaving

• a. they met M and A

• b. who were waiting

They refers to the Israelite foremen in verse 19. Met Moses and Aaron uses the same word for met as in 5.3. It may have been an unexpected meeting. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New American Bible have “they came upon.” New English Bible and New International Version, however, have “they found,” and Contemporary English Version has “they went to see.” Either is possible.

At any rate, Moses and Aaron were waiting for them. The Hebrew may be understood either as “standing to meet them” or “standing opposite them.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “standing in their path,” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch even has “went to meet them.” This suggests that Moses and Aaron were eager to learn the result of the foremen’s audience with the king.

As they came forth from Pharaoh is placed first in most English translations. This rearrangement avoids confusion about the they, which of course refers to the foremen. Came forth suggests that they had been inside the palace. (See the comment on “came” at 5.15.) But this is also implied with “As they were leaving” (Good News Translation). From Pharaoh means “from Pharaoh’s presence” (New English Bible and others) without mentioning the palace. Some prefer to say “When they left Pharaoh” (New International Version and others). Another possible translation is “After they left the king” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .