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

Haman

The name that is transliterated as “Haman” in English means “alone,” “solitary,” “well disposed,” “a rioter,” “rager.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “stuck up,” exemplified in Esther 5:11. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Haman” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Haman .

Translation commentary on Greek Esther 9:24

The words of verses 24 and 25 are possibly intended to be part of the letter mentioned in verse 20; Bible en français courant introduces verse 24 with the words “Mordecai recalled this” (so also Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente places 9.24-26a within quotation marks, clearly indicating that these words are part of the letter.

However, it is more likely that verses 24-25 recall the reason that the Jews followed Mordecai’s instructions (so Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). Verse 24 in Revised English Bible begins “This they did because Haman….” Today’s English Version presents the verse as a kind of editorial comment by the author.

On the Agagite see 3.1. Whereas elsewhere in the Book of Esther Haman has been called “the enemy of the Jews” (3.10; 8.1; 9.10), here he is called the enemy of all the Jews. Today’s English Version says in all of these verses “the enemy of the Jewish people,” omitting the word “all” in verse 24. Since verses 20 and 30 of chapter 9 state that letters were sent “to all the Jews,” the presence of the word “all” in 9.24 should not be overlooked. On this long designation of Haman, see the comment on 3.1.

On cast Pur, see the comment on 3.7. This clause and the appositional that is the lot is a repetition from 3.7. For purposes of clarity Today’s English Version expands by adding “to determine the day.” In 3.7 Haman himself did not cast lots, but in this verse he does appear to be the one who cast the lots.

Within the verse there is also repetition and expansion for increased emphasis and drama. Revised Standard Version translates to destroy them and to crush and destroy them. The first verb here is the same that was translated in 3.13 as “annihilate.” The verb translated to crush, hamam, is similar to the sound of the name Haman.

Septuagint 9.24

In the Greek, verse 24 reports the content of what Mordecai wrote in verse 20, rather than the reason for his writing.

Instead of the reading “Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews” the Septuagint reads Haman son of Hammedatha, the Macedonian (compare Septuagint verse 10 above). For Greek-speaking Jews at the time when the Greek text of Esther was written, the name Macedonian was a term of reproach. See also Addition E.10 and comments. Macedonia, a geographical area, was a part of Greece. Haman was therefore “someone from Macedonia,” a “Macedonia-person,” or even “a son of the land of Macedonia.”

Fought against them: although Haman had not physically fought against the Jews, his actions are interpreted in the language of war. The translator will need to use an appropriate expression to convey the meaning without misleading the reader. Today’s English Version expands for the sake of clarity but in so doing loses the brevity and conciseness of the original text.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on the Book of Esther — Deuterocanon: The Greek Text. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .