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 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 Icelandic patronymic or matronymic naming system is used. (Source: Halldór Elías Guðmundsson)

See also daughter of

complete verse (1 Chronicles 5:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 5:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “A leader of their clan was Ahi, who was son of Abdiel son of Guni.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Guni’s son was Abdiel. Abdiel’s son was Ahi. Ahi was head of their family.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ahi was the child of Abdiel and grandchild of Guni was the leader/[lit. head] of their family.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 5:15

Ahi the son of Abdi-el, son of Guni, was chief in their fathers’ houses: The list of names continues from the previous verse, but the connection of this verse with what precedes it is not clear. Klein says, “This verse is one of the most problematical sections in all the genealogies” (page 165). One of the problems involves the name Ahi, which means “my brother” in Hebrew. So should Ahi the son of Abdi-el be rendered “brother of the son of Abdiel”? Some translators follow part of the Septuagint tradition and omit the name Ahi (so Knoppers). Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, and most other modern versions begin a new sentence at the beginning of this verse, which may be the best solution. According to this way of understanding the Hebrew, Ahi was chief of the Gadite clans. The pronoun their refers to the Gadite clans mentioned in verses 12-13. Ahi … was chief in their fathers’ houses may be translated “Ahi … was head of these clans” (Good News Translation) or “Ahi … was chief in their clans” (similarly New Revised Standard Version). Compare verse 13.

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 5:15

5:15 Ahi son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their family.

Ahi was Abdiel’s son and Abdiel was Guni’s son. Ahi was the leader of their clan. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
Ahi’s father ⌊was⌋ Abdiel, and Abdiel’s father ⌊was⌋ Guni. ⌊Ahi was⌋ the head of that family.

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