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.)

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 .