The sons of Gershom were Ladan and Shime-i is literally “To the Gershonites Ladan and Shimei.” Ladan is called “Libni” in 1 Chr 6.17 (also in Exo 6.17; Num 3.18, 21), but he is again called Ladan in 1 Chr 26.21. Here in verses 7-8 New Living Translation has the name “Libni,” stating in a footnote that Ladan is another name for Libni. Some interpreters suggest that Ladan and Shime-i may have been sons or descendants of Libni, but it is more likely that both Ladan and Shime-i are intended as sons of Gershon.

It will be more natural in some languages to restructure this verse by saying “Ladan and Shimei were Gershon’s descendants” (God’s Word).

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 .