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.

Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)

complete verse (Genesis 21:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 21:34:

  • Newari: “Abraham stayed for many days in the land of the Philistines.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Abraham lived in the land of the Filistinhon for a long time.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Abraham lived in the land of the Philistine people-group for a long time.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 21:34

And Abraham sojourned many days …: sojourned means “lived,” “remained,” “stayed as a foreigner.” Many days does not refer to a limited time but rather to a long time, a great amount of time, probably a number of years, or as Revised English Bible says, “for many years.”

Land of the Philistines: see verse 32.

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 .