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 11:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 11:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “Ithai son of Ribai who came from Gibeah in the area/province of Benjamin, Benaiah who came from Pirathon,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Ithai, son of Ribai the Gibeonite from Benjamin, Beniah the Pirathonite,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Itai the child of Ribai of/from-Gibea, which was under-the-jurisdiction of Benjamin,
    Benaya of/from-Piraton,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ithai, the son of Ribai, from Gibeah town in the land that belonged to the tribe of Benjamin;
    Benaiah, from Pirathon town;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:31

Pirathon (verse 31) was a town in the territory of Ephraim (Jdg 12.15).

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 11:31

11:31a Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites,

Ithai, Ribai’s son, from Gibeah, in the land that belonged to Benjamin’s tribe. (EEB)
-or-
Ithai ⌊was one of David’s mighty warriors. His⌋ father was Ribai from Gibeah. Gibeah ⌊was a town⌋ in ⌊the region that belonged to the descendants of a man called⌋ Benjamin.

11:31b Benaiah the Pirathonite,

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

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