son of

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “son of” in English is translated in all Icelandic Bible versions of the Icelandic Bible Society (latest edition 2007) in parallel with the Icelandic patronymic naming system . This means that for instance in Matthew 16:17 the name that is transliterated and translated in English as “Simon son of Jonah” becomes “Simon Jónasson” or in Isaiah 8:2 “Zechariah son of Jeberechiah” becomes “Sakaría Jeberekíason” where in both cases the “-son” means “son of.”

In cases where “son of” does not refer to a literal father or perhaps stepfather but to lineage, however, this system is not used. So in Matthew 1:1 “Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” is translated as “Jesú Krists, sonar Davíðs, sonar Abrahams.”

The referenced verses all have at least one instance where the patronymic naming system is used. (Source: Halldór Elías Guðmundsson)

complete verse (1 Chronicles 11:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 11:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “Maharai who came from Netopha, Heled son of Baanah who also came from Netopha,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Maharai of/from-Netofa,
    Heled the child of Baana of/from-Netofa,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Maharai, from Netophah town;
    Heled, the son of Baanah, also from Netophah town;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:30

Netophah (verse 30) was a town in the hill country of Judah, near Bethlehem. Heled appears as “Heleb” in 2 Sam 23.29, showing that the final letter has been confused by the writer of 1 Chronicles or by a scribe, but translators generally retain the difference in the original.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 11:30

11:30a Maharai the Netophathite,

Maharai, from Netophah. (EEB)
-or-
Maharai ⌊was one of David’s mighty warriors. He⌋ was from ⌊the town called⌋ Netophah.

11:30b Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

Heled, Baanah’s son, also from Netophah. (EEB)
-or-
Heled ⌊was one of David’s mighty warriors. His⌋ father was Baanah and he was also from Netophah.

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