Translating the word 'bar' as 'son' in Psalm 2:12 is a Christian distortion, as it only means 'son' in Aramaic and not in Hebrew.

Some Jewish anti-missionaries argue that the translation of 'bar' as 'son' in Psalm 2:12 is a Christian distortion. They claim that 'bar' only means 'son' in Aramaic, while the Psalm is in Hebrew, suggesting that the Hebrew term 'ben' would have been more appropriate. However, the term 'bar' can indeed be translated as 'son' or 'son of,' and this flexibility is acknowledged in various Jewish sources. Additionally, the book of Proverbs demonstrates that both Hebrew and Aramaic terms for 'son' can coexist within the same text. For example, Proverbs 30 and 31 use both 'bin' (Hebrew) and 'bar' (Aramaic) interchangeably, which shows that the Psalmist could have similarly employed 'bar' without it being a distortion. Moreover, respected Jewish scholars and commentators, including Abraham Ibn Ezra, have recognized 'bar' as meaning 'son,' which further supports the Christian interpretation of Psalm 2:12. This acknowledgment from Jewish authorities indicates that the translation is not merely a Christian fabrication but rather a legitimate understanding of the text.