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.

complete verse (Genesis 21:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 21:28:

  • Newari: “Abraham removed seven (7) of his sheep from the flock.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Abraham also took seven female sheep and he set- them -apart.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Abraham separated seven female lambs from his flock.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 21:28

Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart: as a subsequent action it may be clearer to say “Then Abraham….” Set apart means “set apart from the herd,” “took out of the herd,” “put in a place by themselves.” Ewe lambs are female lambs, that is, young female sheep.

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 .