Gospel Sign Language Vocabularies

Four Thursdays worth of gospel vocabularies to go over in ASL.

ABRAHAM



ABUNDANT

ACCEPT

ADAM

ADMONISH

ADULTERY

ADVENT

 Advent is signed in one of three ways depending on what you mean: – 1. 2nd COME – – 2. ARRIVE 3. COME (sign as in come to you “yourself”)

ADVOCATE

 Similar to “Support” – – But if it is a person, you sign “support” then “person” If it is a verb, sign “support”

AGENCY

 Spread out your fingers and use the opposite to pick each finger.

ALMIGHTY

ALTAR

 Sign “kneel” and “podium”

AMEN

ANGEL

 Use both flat hands at the shoulder and pretend you rush out shoulder and design its wings.

ANOINT

 At the fist of your hand facing palms down, use the other hand with thumbs extend out and motion with counter-clockwise circle. Like the fist a head and the other thumb extend out as bottle of oil.

APOSTASY

 Forefinger point directly to opposite person and the other forefinger point the same way, but then one moves away. Like the sign for “same”, but a forefinger moves away from not moving finger.

APOSTLE

 Two signs – Sign “Follow” “person” – Flat hands facing sideways, and use the other hand with “a” onto the flat hand starting from top to bottom. Like a commandment in “C”.

APPEAR (PRESENCE)

ARISEN

ASSEMBLE

ATONEMENT

ATTEND

 Similar to “go” in sign, but do it twice.

BAD

BAPTIZED

  Use both hands in fist with both thumbs extend out. Each thumbs facing up to the sky and move into the “imaginary-water” like you were baptizing or “dunking” a person.

Another description from www.valleybible.net: With both "a" hands in front of the body, palms facing each other, dip the hands to the right and then back to the original position.

Hint: represents someone being dipped in the water.

BEG

 Flat hand palm face down and the other in clawed motion, but upside down. Almost like “want” in signs, but only one hand above the flat hand.

BEHOLD

BELIEVE

BELONG

Same as “connect” in ASL

BETHLEHEM

 Sign “blue” and then “city”. When you sign “City” make sure it’s in body motion shifting from left to right (if you are right handed).

BIBLE

There’s two different signs: “Jesus book” “b” across the hand

BIRTH

BLASPHEMY

 saying bad things about God and sacred things

BLESS (ORDAIN)

 Start with the thumbs of both "a" hands at the lips. Move both hands forward and downward while changing them to palm down flat hands.

BLOOD

BROTHER

First version of "brother" using BOY + RIGHT.

Second version of "brother" using BOY + SAME:

CALLING (INVITE/WELCOME)

CALLING (SUMMON)

CALVARY

 Right hand, sign “C” across left extended arm and transform the “C” into “Hills”

CATHOLIC

 Forefinger and middle finger together, with that pretend to draw a cross on the forehead.

CELEBRATION

 Both hands out, show forefingers in crooked manner or pretend you are holding something with both hands. Then rotate both as if you were turning the party toy in circles. Left hand should be rotate counter-clockwise and right clockwise.

CHAPTER

CHARITY

 Similar to “love” in ASL, but with the letter “C”s on both hands.

CHOIR

“music” “group”

CHRISTIAN

“Christ” “person”

CHRISTMAS

Hint: Think of showing the inside edge of a wreath.

OR CHRISTMAS: Think of showing an initialized form of the sign "TREE." (No, this sign doesn't mean "Christmas Tree." To indicate a Christmas tree, sign CHRISTMAS + TREE

CHURCH

COLLECTION

COMFORT

 Almost in “build” but all fingers out. As in trying to keep your hand off of surfaces of your hands back and forth.

COMMAND

COMMANDMENTS

This sign can be initialized with an "R" to mean rule, a "P" to mean principle, or

a "C" to mean constitution or commandment (as in the ten commandments).

"Code of Ethics." A combination of a "C" that changes to an "E" is used to indicate

CONFESS

 Both hands touch the chest with the flat open hand. They are then swung up and out, ending with both palms facing up in front of the body.

Hint: To get something off your chest.

CONFIRMATION

 Start with the tip of your finger at the lips and move out and away from lips. As you move out, change your hand flat to the other flat hand. As if you were giving a blessing on the head of the person.

CONGREGATION

 Same sign as “gather together”

CONVERT

 Use both hands with “C” and touch both thumbs together. Shift the “C” down almost like in “change”.

COUNSEL

COVENANT (AGREE)

 The index finger of the right "d" hand, palm back, touches the forehead and then the two index fingers, both in the "d' position, palms down are brought together so they are side by side, pointing away from the body.

Hint: The sign for Agree.

COVET

Same sign as “desire” or “wish”

CREATE

 Similar to “make” in ASL.

CROSS

CROWN

 Body language by placing a crown on your head.

CRUCIFIED

DAMNATION

 Sign similar to “hell” but with the letter “D”.

DEATH or DEAD

 Hold both flat hands to the front with the left palm down and the right palm up. Move both hands in an arc to the left while reversing the palms orientation.

DELIVERANCE

 Same as “save” but in letter “d”. Almost like “divorce”, but more open.

DENIAL

 Sign “not accept” or sign both hands in “not” form, such as thumbs extend out of under the chin. Both out at the same time.

DESIRE

Same as “wish” or “hungry”

DEVIL

 Touch the temple with the thumb of the right "3" hand with palm facing forward. Bend and unbend the index and middle fingers a few times.

DISCIPLE

 Place both "d" hands to front, left slightly ahead of right. Move them forward, right hand following left. Follow with the person indicator.

Hint: Same sign as for follow but with the initialized "d" hands.

DIVINE

 Similar to the sign “clean” but with the letter “D” in washing motion from fingertip to heel of hand.

DOCTRINE

 Position both "d" hands at the front and sides of the forehead, then move them forward and back a few times.

Hint: Similar to the sign for Teach with the initialization for Doctrine.

DOUBT

 The right "v" hand faces the nose. The index and middle fingers bend as a cynical expression is assumed. The downturned "s" hands swing alternately up and down.

EARN (DESERVE)

Start with the hand in air while your other flat hand stays, then do the same sign as the images below.

EARTH

EASTER

EGYPT

 With the right palm forward, using a "x" hand, place it on the forehead.

EMMANUEL

 Move the flat right hand in a backward downward arc toward self with the palm facing left. Both "a" hands come together in front of the body with palms touching. The right index finger touches the right shoulder then moves in a semi circle and touches the left shoulder.

Hint: the signs for God, With and Us.

ENDURE

Same as “continue”

ENEMY

Sign in as “opposite” and then “person”

EPISCOPAL

 Hold the left arm in front of the chest with the palm down and the hand closed. Touch the underside of the left forearm with the right index finger at the wrist; then dip the right index hand before touching the left elbow.

Hint: Suggests the enlarged sleeve of a priests robe.

EPISTLE

 Same sign as “letter” in ASL.

ETERNAL

 Use forefinger and start from right scalp extend out and swirl forward.

EVE

 Sign the letter “E” with your right hand and place it at the right side of your chin.

EVIL

EXCOMMUNICATE

 Sign “church” and then use left flat hand palms face down and the right hand over the left with its thumbs out to flip out. Kind of like flipping your watch out. Sign almost as in “remove”

EXALT

 Both bent hands with fingertips facing each other are raised from forehead height to above the head.

EXODUS

 Two different signs I found on http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi and http://www.valleybible.net/DeafMinistry/ASL_Dictiona ry/asl_exodus.php

– – The right index finger starts between the fingers of the left flat hand with palm facing down. It then moves out from the fingers in a sharp motion. Sign “Egypt” and then “leave” (in a higher motion to heaven).

FAITH

 Two different signs: OR

FAITHFUL

 Move the right index finger from touching the right side of the forehead downward while changing into an "f" hand on the index side of the left "f" hand and bouncing forward a few times.

FALSE

FASTING

 The right "f" fingers move across the lips from left to right.

FATHER (God himself)

 Same sign as “father” but with both hands together. Hands on top of one another.

FEAR

 Sources from the web as well, various signs.

This one is common one: The other signs, “fear God” are pretending to shield to heaven, as if you try to block you face.

FEAST

 The right and left hand alternately move toward the mouth.

– Similar to this photos, but in a humble way. (It’s the actual sign for food, in a dramatic expressions)

FELLOWSHIP

 Both "a" hands with thumbs out circle around each other. 

OR

do the same way as above, but wiggle all of your fingers around each other in circle motion. Your fingers are like little people going around each other.

FLESH (BODY)

 Use both hands flat your palms facing you and start from top below shoulder and move hands out down to your tummy.

FLESH (MEAT)

 Similar sign for “meat”, then shake your sign.

FLOOD

 The right "w" hand touches the chin. Both open hands with palms facing down rise from hips to shoulders while puffing out the cheeks.

FORBID

 With a sharp movement, hit the left open hand, palm facing right with the right “L" hand two times.

FORGIVE

FORSAKE

 Wipe the palm side of the right open hand across the forehead from left to right then throw both hands to the right.

Hint: It is like forgetting something and throwing it aside.

FREE

FREEWILL (THINK-SELF)

 Sign “free” and then “willing” but with one hand.

FUNERAL

 Both "v" hands with fingers pointing up, right hand following left, move them forward with a soft bouncing motion.

Hint: Represents people moving forward in a line.

GENTILE(S)

 This concept refers to someone who is not a member of one's own religion. Typically in the new testament it has been used to refer to "non-Jewish" people.

Hindus and Mormons also use this concept to some extent to refer to people not of their faith

GET (OBTAIN)

GHOST

GIVE

GLORY

 Both open hands come up in front of the face and touch. The right hand is drawn back with fingers wiggling. OR

GOD

GOOD (WELL)

GOSPEL

GRACE

GRIEF

 Use both hands in fist and pretend to tear over your heart like a paper in half.

GUILT (CONSCIENCE)

 Use your right arm and sign “g” over your left chest, just over your heart.

HALLELUJAH

 Clap the hands; then hold up both closed hands with the thumb tips and index fingertips touching. Make small circular movements.

HEART

OR Outline the shape of a heart on the chest with both index or middle fingers.

HEAVEN

OR Both hands with fingertips facing each other, circle around each other once and then move away from each other over the head.

HEBREW

 Place the right open fingers and thumb on the chin with the palm facing self. Draw the hand down below the chin and form an "and" hand.

Hint: Symbolizes the beards worn by Jewish men.

HELL

 With the right hand signed “h”, start at the left shoulder and move down and across.

HELP

HOLY

OR Make a right "h" hand; then move the right flat palm across the left flat palm from heel, to fingertips.

HONOR

OR

HOPE

OR

HUMBLE

 Point the left flat hand to the right with palm down. Touch the lips with the index finger of the right "b" hand and move it down and forward under the left hand.

HUNGRY (WILL)

HYMN

 Sign “music” and then “book”

HYPOCRITE

 The left hand is placed over the back of the right hand and pushes it down and a bit in toward the body.

IN

INNOCENT

 Use both fore and middle fingers together both hands at lips and extend out.

INSPIRE

 Start at the stomach with both hands, almost as if you’re holding the shirt. Then slide up to your chest. As you slide spread your fingers out

INTERPRET

ISAIAH

 Move the right "I" hand palm facing left, from in front of the chest forward in an arc under the down turned left open hand, held in front of the chest. Both open flat hands with palms facing each other move from shoulders to hips.

Hint: Same sign as for Prophet but with the "I" initialization.

ISRAEL

 The right "I" hand brushes down the left side of the chin and then the right side of the chin.

JEHOVAH

 The word "Jehovah" is signed "JH" in the same area that you would sign "god" around the forehead or above.

JERUSALEM

  Make a "j" with the right hand. Make the point of a triangle with both flat hands in front of the chest. Repeat a few times while moving the hands to the right.

Hint: sign “J” then to “city”

JESUS

JEW or JEWISH

JOIN (BELONG)

OR

JUDAISM

 Sign “jewish” and then “Belief” or “Believe”

JUDGE

Kill

 Left flat hands palm facing down sideways and use right hand with forefinger pointed, slit across the left palm.

Kindness

King

Kingdom

 Move the right "k" hand from the left shoulder to the right waist; then circle the right flat hand, palm facing down, in front of the body in a counterclockwise direction.

Kneel

 Sign “stand” and then bend your joint of fore and middle finger down of your left palm. Like a person kneeling down on his knees.

Language (Tongue)

 Sign both hands with “L”s and start together in front of you and scribble across hands going away from each other.

Latter-Day-Saint

 Finger spell “LDS”

Law

Lecture (Give Lesson)

Lie

Life

Light

Live

Lord

Love

Manage (Rule)

Manna

 Both index fingers alternately flick down in front of face. The fingertips of the left hand are drawn down over the back of the right hand several times.

 sign feast, sky, sprinkle around top to down, jewish and then open mouth to feast.

Marriage

Mary

Similar to “virgin” as the image below, but with the letter “M”.

Meeting

Member

Mercy

:

Millennium

 After making the "1" hand, the fingertips of the right hand touch the middle of the palm of the left hand. The right "s" hand moves from on top of the left "s" hand, around the left hand, ending back on top of the left "s" hand.

Hint: Signs for 1,000 and Year.

Miracle

Mission

Missionary

Mock

Mormon

 Sign “m” but move to jaw in almost as “experience” in movement.

Moses

 The right thumb and index finger begin on the right forehead and moves out and away ending with the thumb and index finger touching.

Music (Hymn)

Nazareth

 Sign "n" followed by the sign for city. Make the point of a triangle with both flat hands in front of the chest. This is repeated a few times while moving the hands to the right.

New Testament

OR

Oath

Obey

"Obey" Obey God

Offering

 SUGGEST / OFFER / RECOMMEND: The palm-up flat hands move in an arc forward and up and then down a bit.

Think of "laying an offer on the table."

Old Testament

Parable

 Same sign as “story”

Patient (Endure)

 Put your thumbnail on your chin and drag it downward about 2 inches.

Paul

 Fingerspell his name.

Peace

Persecute

Peter

Pharisee

Poor

Power (Authority)

Praise (Applause)

Pray

Preach

Prepare

Priest

Promise

Proof

Prophet

Protestant

Punish

Pure

Quaker

Rebel (Disobey)

Redeem

Religion

Remember

Repent

Respect

Responsible (Obligation)

Reverent

Righteous

Rome

Sacrifice

Sad

Savior

School

Scriptures

Seminary

Serve

Shed (Blood)

Sheep

Shepherd

Show (Reveal)

Sin

Sky

Son

Sorry

Soul

Speak

Speech

Spirit

Star

Suffer

Suggest (Offer)

Sunday (Sabbath)

Supreme

Symbol

Teach

Temple

Temptation

Testify

Thankfulness

Thanks

Thee (Thou)

Thy

Tithing

Tongues

Translate

Trust

Truth

Unity

Universe

Verily

Verse

Virgin

Vision

Will (Want)

Wise

Wish

Witness

Wonderful

Word

World

Worship

Worthy

Wrong

Last Day Party

 Lets sign up on what each of you will bring.

 We do have kitchen in the Institute.