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 Malachi 4:4

In translations that choose to insert a heading at this point, it will be helpful to follow the example of Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and add an indication that the speaker continues to be the LORD. “The LORD says” is quite adequate. Even if there is no heading, this may still be desirable.

In this verse there are several words and phrases that are shared with the book of Deuteronomy. These include Remember (compare Deut 7.18; 8.18; 16.3), my servant Moses (compare Deut 34.5), statutes and ordinances (compare Deut 4.1, 8, 14), Horeb (the common name in Deuteronomy for the mountain usually called “Sinai” in Exodus; see Deut 1.2, 6, 19), and all Israel (compare Deut 1.1; 5.1).

Remember the law of my servant Moses: The meaning of Remember includes not just recollection but also obedience (compare Psa 103.18; 119.55). Although the law is singular in Hebrew, the reference is general, and may be translated as a plural, such as “teachings” (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), “laws” (Contemporary English Version), or “instructions” (Beck, New Living Translation). Moses is referred to as the LORD’s servant in such passages as Exo 14.31; Josh 8.31 and 18.7. In cultures where servants are not known, it may be necessary to say “my follower” or even “my worshiper.” For the law … of Moses, compare Josh 23.6; 1 Kgs 2.3; Neh 8.1; Dan 9.11 and 13. In some languages it will be helpful to say something like “the law I gave to my servant Moses.”

The words translated statutes and ordinances are often put together. It is not easy to define the difference between them, if indeed there is a clear distinction. Often these and sometimes other terms as well (see for instance Deut 4.45; 6.1, 17, 20) have a total meaning that is cumulative rather than individual. In other languages it may not always be necessary for translators to use the same number of terms as there are in Hebrew; for instance, Contemporary English Version has here just “laws and teachings” to cover law, statutes, and ordinances. This is especially true for cultures where there is no extensive vocabulary of legal terms. In the present case, there is no special focus on the exact meaning of statutes and ordinances. The two terms relate to law above, and simply expand the concept in a general way. Translators may say “the law … [that is] the rules and regulations…” (Moffatt) or something similar. Terms used in other English versions include “precepts” (New English Bible/Revised English Bible), “commands” (Good News Translation), “decrees” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible), “instructions” (Beck), and “rulings” (New Jerusalem Bible).

That I commanded him: In some languages it may be good style to repeat a verb based on the same root as one of the terms used to render law, statutes, or ordinances. In other languages (including English) this would sound awkward. Translators should be sensitive to such a point of style, as it may affect the readers’ overall reaction to the text even if it does not hinder their understanding of a particular sentence. Possible alternatives are “that I commanded him to follow” and even “that I gave to all the people of Israel through my servant Moses.”

At Horeb: Since this mountain is better known as “Sinai” (compare Sirach 48.7), it may be preferable to say “Sinai,” as Good News Translation has. In some languages it will also be helpful to say “Mount Sinai,” as do Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and New Living Translation. If this is done, it is good to add a footnote, as in Contemporary English Version and New Living Translation, explaining that the Hebrew contains a different name for the same place.

For all Israel means “for all the people of Israel” (Good News Translation).

A possible translation model for the whole verse is found in Good News Translation. Another possibility is:

• Remember the laws, rules, and commands that I gave to all the people of Israel through my servant Moses at Mount Sinai.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Malachi. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .