The name that is transliterated as “Isaac” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and French Sign Language with a sign that is linked to his mother’s laughter when she hears that she will be pregnant with him (referring to Genesis 18:12 – 18:15) and also is the meaning of the Hebrew “Isaac” (Yitschaq — “he laughs”):
The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English is translated in the vast majority of sign languages, including American Sign Language with the sign signifying “hold back arm” (referring to Genesis 22:12).
In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign for that demonstrates his new destiny. Previously, he had been called to wander from his home, and the name “Abram” reflected this movement (see here). The new sign name is in one location and stays there, showing Abraham will be given a land to call his own. At this time, Abraham was in the southern part of Canaan, which is shown on the base arm by the location near the elbow. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)
“Abraham” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 25:5:
Newari: “Abraham left all that he had to Isaac.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Before Abraham died, he left all of his possessions to Isaac. But he gave gifts to his other children from his other wives, and he had- them -live in the land(s) in the east, far from his child Isaac.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Abraham declared that after he died, Isaac would inherit everything he owned.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Verse 5 shows that Abraham’s line continues only through Isaac, and therefore Isaac is Abraham’s only heir. Verse 6 contrasts what Abraham did for Isaac with what he did for his other sons.
Abraham gave all he had to Isaac: the wording of this verse expresses the same thought the servant conveyed in 24.36. Gave is used here in the special sense of a person passing on his property at death to an heir. In English this thought is expressed by such verbs as “bequeath,” “will,” “give as inheritance,” “leave.” Good News Translation says “left everything he owned.” In other languages it may be necessary to follow the customs that apply for inheritance; in one situation, for example, the translation says “Then Abraham called all his people together and told them that when he died everything of his would belong to his son Isaac.” For a discussion of “heir” see 15.2. In languages in which it is more natural to speak of inheriting, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy provides a model: “Isaac inherited everything that Abraham had.”
It is reasonable to assume that Abraham is still alive in verse 5 when he arranged for Isaac to inherit his property. To assume he is dead in verse 5 may conflict with the statement that he gave gifts to his sons while he was still living in Gen 25.6. However, we may also translate these two closely related verses so that their time in relation to Abraham’s death is made clear; for example, “When Abraham died he left all his property to Isaac. However, while he was still alive he gave gifts to … and sent them away….”
Another possible adjustment is to change the order of verses 5 and 6. In this case we may translate “While Abraham was still living he gave gifts to … and sent them away… Later, when Abraham died, he left all his property to Isaac.”
But to the sons of his concubines: concubines (see discussion of this term in 22.24) appears strange if the reference is to Keturah, who is not referred to as concubine in Gen 25.1. The plural form of this word may refer to Keturah and Hagar, or to these two and still others not mentioned elsewhere. In languages that distinguish between the main wife and secondary wives, it is advisable to use something equivalent to secondary wives here.
Abraham gave gifts: gifts translates a general word for presents. These may have been in the form of jewels, precious metals, animals, slaves, or combinations of these. In any event they would be movable gifts that could be taken to another area. The gifts are probably given as a legal settlement that will enable these sons to begin life on their own. It is unlikely that money as it is used in the modern world would have been a part of these gifts, but quantities of precious metals served the same purpose; therefore it is legitimate to include money along with other items in translation, if a descriptive expression is required.
He sent them away from his son Isaac: the purpose of sending these sons away is to remove them from Isaac so that they will not be a threat to Isaac’s wealth and security. In translation it may be necessary to make clear that Abraham is separating these other sons from Isaac. We may translate, for example, “He sent them far away to keep them separated from Isaac.” Another example from some translations is “He sent them away to countries in the east, because he didn’t want them to stay there with his son Isaac.”
Eastward to the east country: some take this repeated use of east to refer to a land in the east called “East.” A similar expression is found in 29.1. Moffatt translates “eastward to the land of Kedem.” (The Hebrew word for “east” is qedem.) According to Driver the expression is a general designation of the land that lay to the east, northeast, or southeast of Canaan. For some languages Good News Translation will be a suitable model, but for others it will be necessary to use local conditions to designate east; for example, “to a land where the sun rises,” “to a land beyond the big mountains.”
Verse 6 completes the genealogy and the separation of Isaac’s future line from that of his half-brothers. The next subdivision will end with God blessing Isaac after Abraham’s death and burial.
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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