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).
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)
The term that is transliterated as “Abram” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign signifying sojourning with a staff, clearly differentiating it from Abraham. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Abram” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Some translations specifically reproduce the voice of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible.
English: No longer shall your name be called Avram,
rather shall your name be Avraham,
for I will make you Av Hamon Goyyim/Father of a Throng of Nations!
Source: Everett Fox 1995
German: Nicht werde fortan Abram dein Name gerufen,
sondern dein Name sei Abraham,
denn zum Ab-Hamon Gojim — zum Vater eines Getümmels von Stämmen gebe ich dich.
Source: Buber / Rosenzweig 1976
French: Ton nom ne sera plus crié Abrâm:
ton nom est Abrahâm père d’une multitude :
oui, je t’ai donné en père d’une foule de peuples.
Source: Chouraqui 1985
For other verses or sections translated with a Hebraic voice, see here.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 17:5:
Kankanaey: “‘This is the agreement-that- I -will-present to you (sing.). Starting-from now, your (sing.) name will not be Abram, but rather Abraham, because I will make- you (sing.) -become the ancestral-source of those who inhabit many nations.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Your name will now be Abraham, not Abram. For I have made you the father of many nations.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “From now-(on) no-longer will- you -be-called Abram but Abraham now, because I will-make you the father of many nations.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “And no longer will your name be Abram. Instead, your name will be Abraham, which means ‘father of many nations,’ because the people of many nations will descend from you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham: this clause may sometimes be rendered “They won’t call you Abram any more; they will call you Abraham” or “Abram won’t be your name any longer; it will be Abraham.” Note that both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have footnotes to explain the popular meaning attached to the new name. Translators may wish to do the same.
For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations gives a reason or explanation for the name change. The change of Abram’s name marks a significant turn in his life. He will soon have a son from Sarai, whose name will also be changed in verse 15. In the Middle East, as in many areas of the world, the change of a person’s name signals a crucial change in the person’s life. For example, a leader taking over the direction of his people may receive a throne name, or such events as the death of an important ancestor or victory over a defeated enemy may be occasions for a change in a person’s name. Name changing is common in some areas when a person becomes a convert to a new religion.
Multitude of nations: multitude renders a word whose unmarked meaning refers to “unrest,” “tumult,” or “noise.” It is used of military troops or groups of people. Used with nations or peoples it refers, as in this verse, to the abundance or large number of them.
The fact that God is the one who makes or orders the change of name for Abram is not stated directly in the Hebrew; but in some languages it will be necessary to make this clear. For instance, in one translation this verse begins: “I am going to change that name of yours. They can’t call you Abram any more. I turn that name and call you Abraham, because….”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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