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 (Nehemiah 11:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 11:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “The big/chief leader of these people was Joel the son of Zikri, but/and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second in the leadership of the city.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Joel the child of Zicri was their highest-leader and second to him was Juda the child of Hasenua.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Their leader was Joel, son of Zichri. The official who was second in command in Jerusalem was Hassenuah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 11:9

In addition to the leaders from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, two other leaders are named: Joel their overseer and Judah who was second over the city. Joel was the officer who was set over them. Jerusalem Bible says he “was in charge of them.” There are two interpretations of the position held by Judah: either that he was the second in command over the city (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or that he was in command of the second quarter or district of the city (so New International Version). The most common interpretation is the first. The two men may be the successors to Hanani and Hananiah in Neh 7.2, who were the military commander in the city and his second-in-command. They were not tribal or religious leaders.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .