Heber was the son of Beriah and the grandson of Asher.

It is not certain whether Shomer is the same person as “Shemer” in verse 34. However, a number of translations are based on the understanding that the two names refer to the same person. Some translations, therefore, have “Shemer” here in agreement with the same spelling in verse 34 (so Moffatt, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Other translations change the spelling in verse 34 to “Shomer” to agree with the spelling here in this verse (so Good News Translation). The Septuagint reads “Samer” here, but Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text.

It is also not certain whether Hotham is the same person as “Helem” in verse 35. See the discussion there.

As in verse 30, the meaning of their sister may be better expressed in some languages in terms of the relationship of the girl to her father; for example, “his [Heber’s] daughter.”

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 .