Bethlehem

The town name that is transliterated as “Bethlehem” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the signs signifying “manger + town” (referring to Luke 2:7). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Bethlehem” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

See also manger.

In American Sign Language it is translated with the signs for “bread” and “house,” referring to the original meaning of “Bethlehem” as “house of bread.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Bethlehem .

complete verse (1 Chronicles 2:51)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:51:

  • Kupsabiny: “Salma, who started the city of Bethlehem, and Hareph who started the city of Beth-gader.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Salma, who founded Bethlehem, and Hareph, who founded Beth-gader.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Salma the father of Betlehem, and Haref the father of Bet Gader.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:51

Salma, the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader: For the name Salma, see the comments on verse 11. Since Bethlehem is a town and not a person, the father of Bethlehem is better rendered “the founder of Bethlehem” (New Living Translation, Revised English Bible; similarly Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The same is true for the father of Beth-gader.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .