And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir: Men of the Simeonites is literally “from the sons of Simeon” (New American Standard Bible). Since this is a military movement, it may be possible to speak of “warriors” or “invaders” (New Living Translation). But the text seems to emphasize the fact that they were descendants of Simeon, so this element should not be omitted. Mount Seir refers to the mountainous region of Edom southeast of Canaan, as if a single mountain is intended. However, it may be better to say “the mountainous region of Seir” (Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “the mountainous region of Edom” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). This region was inhabited by the Edomites and may have included territory on both the east and west sides of the Rift Valley (called “the Arabah” in the Old Testament). In any case, the Simeonites would have moved in an easterly direction into the area controlled by the Edomites. For this reason Good News Translation translates went to Mount Seir as “went east to Edom.” If translators wish to retain something of the form of the original text while still clarifying the meaning, it is possible to translate “went to Mount Seir in the east, where the Edomites lived.”

International Children’s Bible restructures this whole verse, which may be helpful for other languages, saying:

• Ishi’s sons, Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, led 500 of the Simeonite people. They attacked the people living in the mountains of Edom.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .