And their brethren the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God: The pronoun their refer to the Levites who were in charge of the choirs. For the word brethren, see the comments on verses 39 and 44. Good News Translation clearly takes this word in the sense of associates or colleagues and not literal brothers since their brethren the Levites is translated “the other Levites.” New International Version is similar with “Their fellow Levites.” New Revised Standard Version has “their kindred the Levites.”

The Hebrew verb translated were appointed is literally “were given.” In some languages this passive expression will have to be made active. If so, translators may begin this verse with “David appointed their fellow Levites…” (see verse 31).

All the service refers to the other responsibilities of those who were leading in worship.

The tabernacle of the house of God refers to the portable sanctuary mentioned in verse 32 (see the comments there). The house of God is in apposition with the tabernacle. This whole phrase may be rendered “the Tabernacle, the house of God” (New Living Translation, Revised English Bible; similarly New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .