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).

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 Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign that depicts the eye make up he would have worn as the adopted son of an Egyptian princess. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“Moses” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

In Estonian Sign Language Moses is depicted with a big beard. (Source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff. )


“Moses” in Estonian Sign Language, source: Glossary of the EKNK Toompea kogudus

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Moses .

Translation commentary on Mark 9:4

Exegesis:

ophthē ‘was seen’: this passive form (from horaō ‘see’) is commonly used with the meaning ‘appeared,’ of beings who make their appearance in a supernatural manner (cf. Lk. 1.11; 22.43; 24.34; Acts 2.3; 7.2 etc.).

sullalountes (only here in Mark) ‘talking with,’ ‘conversing with.’

Translation:

Elijah with Moses must be rendered in some languages as ‘Elijah and Moses.’

The transliteration of Old Testament proper names should correspond to the form which they have (or will have) in any Old Testament translation.

If a direct form of expression is required, appeared to them may be rendered either ‘came into their view’ or ‘they saw.’

In some languages (e.g. Zapotec) special grammatical forms are required in speaking of persons who have died. Accordingly, Elijah and Moses must be so designated, regardless of the account of Elijah’s miraculous ascent to heaven. In other languages all such patriarchs must be addressed or spoken of with honorific language.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 9:4

9:4a–b

And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus: The Greek clauses here indicate that Elijah and Moses were already talking with Jesus when the disciples saw them. The context also implies that Elijah, Moses, and Jesus were still talking when Peter interrupted them in 9:5a. Try to translate in a way that allows for either of these two meanings.

Elijah and Moses: Elijah and Moses were both Old Testament prophets who lived many years before Jesus. But God brought them to the mountain to talk with Jesus.

If people in your area will not know that Elijah and Moses lived long before Jesus, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Elijah and Moses, prophets of long ago

appeared: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appeared is literally “was seen.” This form of the verb is often used to describe beings who appear in a supernatural manner. Here, this verb indicates that the disciples suddenly saw Elijah and Moses. The disciples did not see them coming from a distance. For this reason, it is possible to translate this as:

Elijah and Moses suddenly appeared to them
-or-
They suddenly saw Elijah and Moses

them: The pronoun them refers to the three disciples. However, your translation should not imply that Elijah and Moses suddenly became visible to the three disciples but not to Jesus. Clearly, Jesus saw them as well as the three disciples. In some languages you may be able to leave the word them implicit. For example, the New Living Translation says:

Then Elijah and Moses appeared

9:4b

talking with Jesus: The Greek grammar probably indicates that Elijah and Moses were already talking with Jesus when the disciples saw them. The grammar could also indicate that Elijah, Moses, and Jesus were still talking when Peter interrupted them (9:5a). Try to translate in a way that allows for either of those two meanings.

Paragraph 9:5–8

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