Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph: Four sons of Asaph are listed in the Hebrew text, so Good News Translation and Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje insert the number “four” into the translation. Since verse 3 gives the number of Jeduthun’s sons as six, some scholars think that the Hebrew text here in verse 2 originally said “… and Asharelah. These four sons of Asaph…” and that the words “These four” were accidentally skipped over by a scribe (so Klein), but these words may be added for reasons of translation whether or not one accepts or rejects the view that the Hebrew text was originally longer.

Asharelah is called “Jesharelah” in verse 14. Since these are variant forms of the same name, they may be harmonized in the receptor language translation as in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, and Revised English Bible.

Under the direction of Asaph (literally “under the hand of Asaph”) means that Asaph was in charge of the other Temple musicians.

Who prophesied under the direction of the king: Prophesied is better translated “sang the messages of God” (Bible en français courant). See the comments on the previous verse. Under the direction of the king (literally “under the hand of the king”) means that the king was in charge of Asaph. New Century Version says simply that “King David chose Asaph to preach.” But the meaning seems to be more specifically that Asaph prophesied any time David told him to rather than on a regular schedule; that is, Asaph prophesied “by order of the king” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “whenever the king commanded” (Good News Translation, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje).

According to the Hebrew, it was Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. Contemporary English Version wrongly says “Asaph’s four sons … were under the direction of their father and played music whenever the king told them to.” So we advise translators to avoid the meaning found in Contemporary English Version.

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 .