The intended meaning of verses 16-19 is not certain. The most likely meaning of verses 16-19 seems to be that in the distribution of food, there were two differences between the priests and the Levites: (1) Priests were registered from the age of three (verse 16), but Levites were not registered until they were twenty (verse 17); and (2) the Levites received their allocation of food only during the times that they were working at the Temple, but the priests received their allocations even when they were at home and it was not their turn to be serving in the Temple. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible follows this interpretation and will be quoted in its entirety at the end of the discussion on verse 19.

Except those enrolled by genealogy …: The very different ways in which the first part of verse 16 has been translated indicate the difficulty in knowing precisely what the intended meaning is. As translated by Revised Standard Version and some other versions, this verse constitutes an exception and indicates that those distributing the food did not give any to those who were on duty in the Temple at the time (and their children). On the other hand, Good News Translation takes the negation with the words by genealogy, which it translates “by clans,” and then begins a new sentence saying that they did distribute food to those who had responsibilities in the Temple. The two renderings are opposite in meaning. Revised English Bible begins with “Irrespective of their registration….” For genealogy see the comments on 1 Chr 5.7.

Males from three years old and upwards: Three years is based on the reading in the Masoretic Text. Some interpreters think the text originally read “thirty years,” the age when duties at the Temple were assigned (see 1 Chr 23.3). If the Masoretic Text is correct, then the sons were enrolled when they were weaned from their mother’s breast. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives an {A} rating to the reading with “three,” and since there is no evidence in the Hebrew manuscripts or in the ancient versions for a different reading, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament does not even mention this as a textual problem. Nevertheless, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, NASB, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and Anchor Bible consider the reading “thirty” to be more likely. It is noteworthy that when David took the census of the Levites in 1 Chr 23.3, he counted them beginning at the age of thirty. And Moses and Aaron counted the Levites from the age of thirty to fifty (see Num 4.3).

All who entered the house of the LORD as the duty of each day required for their service according to their duties, by their divisions: See the comments on 2 Chr 8.14. Good News Translation says “all … who had daily responsibilities in the Temple in accordance with their positions.”

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 .