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)
The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 2:8:
Kupsabiny: “But Abner son of Ner, who was the leader/commander of the army of Saul, made the son of Saul who was called Ishbosheth to flee to the town of Mahanaim.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Meanwhile, Saul’s commanding general, Abner, son of Ner brought Isbosheth, son of Saul to Mahaniam.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Now, the commander of the soldiers of Saul who-is Abner the son of Ner went to Mahanaim. He brought Ish-bosheth/(Ishboshet) the son of Saul.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “While this was happening, Ner’s son Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ishbosheth and went across the Jordan River to Mahanaim town.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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