Son of God

The Greek and Latin that is translated as “Son of God” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo as “God’s Child” and in Garifuna as “God’s offspring.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

Nida (1984, p. 113) remarks on this “It was a common expression in Hebrew to say that someone was the ‘Son of…’ something to express that they shared characteristics with that thing etc. E.g. ‘son of peace’ ‘son of thunder.’ Therefore ‘Son of God’ meant that Jesus shared characteristics with God. This wasn’t carried over into Greek and was interpreted more biologically.”

In San Mateo Del Mar Huave it is translated as “Son of Father God,” where “Father” is a term of respect. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God, the “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御) is used as in mi-ko (御子) or “son (of God)” in the referenced verses. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also Son of Man and Sons of Thunder.

complete verse (John 1:49)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:49:

  • Uma: “Natanael said: ‘You (sing.) really are the Child of God, Teacher. You (sing.) really are the King of the Israel people!'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Natanael said to him, ‘Sir, you are the Son of God. You are the king of the tribe of Isra’il.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Nathaniel said, ‘Datu, you really are the Son of God! You really are the prophesied king of us descendants of Israel!'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Whereupon Nataniel said, ‘Sir teacher, you (sing.) indeed surprised-realization are the Child of God. You (sing.) are the King of Israel.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘Oh expl.’, said Natanael next, ‘Teacher, if that’s the way it is then, it’s true that you are the Son of God! You really are the King of the nation of Israel!'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Nathanael said, ‘Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the ruler of the Jews.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on John 1:49

Teacher is transliterated as “Rabbi” in most translations. “Rabbi” is, of course, the title given to the Jewish teachers of the Law (see 1.38).

In some languages it is impossible to address a person by a title which identifies his function or profession. For example, one cannot directly address a person as “Teacher.” However, one can introduce this term into the structure of verse 49 by saying “Nathanael replied to Jesus as to a teacher” or “Nathanael addressed Jesus as a teacher and said.”

King of Israel is definitely used as a Messianic title. In 2 Samuel 7.14 and Psalm 2.7 God addresses the Messianic king as “my son.” Since both these term are equally Messianic titles, there is no anticlimax in the present passage which places King of Israel after Son of God. The order is perfectly logical and reflects a definite temporal sequence, for it is only as Jesus is designated the Son of God that he can become the King of Israel in this Messianic sense.

Jesus is once again designated King of Israel in 12.13. In 6.15 the Jews want to make Jesus their king, but he refuses. In Chapters 18–19 Jesus is several times referred to as the king of the Jews. However, there is no indication that Jesus is encouraged the use of this title. All the evidence points to the contrary.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 1:49

1:49a

Rabbi: The word Rabbi is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” People used this word as a title of respect for an important religious teacher or leader. It does not refer to a schoolteacher. See the notes on 1:38c, and use the same word in both verses.

You: This pronoun is singular and refers to Jesus.

the Son of God: This phrase was a title that Jews often used to refer to the coming savior who would be a descendant of King David. This person was also called the “Messiah” or “Christ.” This title also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God.

See how you translated the Son of God at 1:34. For further information, see the note on this phrase at 1:34.

1:49b

the King of Israel: The expression King of Israel was another title for the Messiah. Jewish people were expecting a king who would destroy those who oppressed them. He would rule over Israel and bring about peace and justice (for example, see Psalms 45, 72, Zechariah 9:9–10). See Matthew 27:42 and Mark 15:32, where the same title appears.

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