Instead of Ebal, some Hebrew manuscripts as well as the ancient Syriac version read “Obal” (so New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version, La Bible du Semeur, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Nueva Versión Internacional), which is the spelling of the name in the parallel passage in Gen 10.28 (see the comments on 1 Chr 1.6). This problem is not dealt with by Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. There is no real difference in meaning. Ebal is simply a variant spelling of the name “Obal,” so translators may choose to use the same spelling in the receptor language here and in Gen 10.28.

For Sheba see the comments on 1 Chr 1.9.

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 .