son vs. grandson

“Son of x, son of y” must be rendered as “son of x and grandson of y” in Tibetan or else it will sound like two different people.

Note: The same translation solution is chosen in many contemporary English Bibles that emphasize easy readability, such as the Contemporary English Version, Common English Bible, Good News Translation, God’s Word, or New Living Translation.

See also father / grandfather.

complete verse (Nehemiah 11:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 11:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “together with 242 relatives of his who were heads of their families. There was also Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, who was son of Immer,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the companions of Adaya 242 men who were leaders/[lit. heads] of the families;
    Amashsai the child of Azarel (Azarel the child of Azai; Azai the child of Meshilemot; and Meshilemot the child of Imer);” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Altogether, there were 242 members of that clan who were leaders of the clan who settled in Jerusalem.
    Another priest who settled in Jerusalem was Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 11:13

And his brethren, heads of fathers’ houses …: His brethren refers to the clan of Adaiah. New International Version calls them “his associates.” Heads of fathers’ houses were “heads of families” as Good News Translation renders it (also New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible; see Ezra 1.5). These numbered 242.

And Amashai, the son of …: The list continues with the priest Amashsai.

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 .