She was in Chezib when she bore him: She, according to the Revised Standard Version footnote, is the form found in the Septuagint. The Hebrew has “he,” that is, Judah. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends the Hebrew text with “he” and suggests translating “while he [Judah] was in Chezib.” Chezib is thought to be the Achzib of Josh 15.44. This is a place 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Adullam. It is not certain why this detail about Shelah’s birth is mentioned.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .