The other company of those who gave thanks: This is the second group of singers mentioned in verse 31 above. Many versions refer to it as “The other choir” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “The second choir” (New International Version, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Revised English Bible is even more precise and detailed calling it “The other thanksgiving choir.” For gave thanks, see the comments on verse 31.

This group proceeded from the Valley Gate, the same point as the first group, and went to the left, that is, to the north. The Hebrew text has “in the opposite direction.” This reading receives a B rating in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and is recommended to translators. Some languages refer to the north as the “horizon on the upper side” or “the up-river direction.”

I followed with half of the people …: Ezra led the group of leaders in the other procession, and Nehemiah says that he himself led this group of people that followed the singers. The procession was divided into two halves and one half went to the right and the other half went to the left. The addition of “the leading men” after half in Revised English Bible is based on a conjecture and is not supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which gives the Hebrew text an A rating and is recommended.

The group going left with Nehemiah followed the wall above the Tower of the Ovens (see Neh 3.11) to the Broad Wall (see Neh 3.8). Many translations refer specifically to above the Tower of Ovens/Furnaces (New American Standard Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Although the Hebrew compound preposition that occurs here normally means “above/over,” it is commonly translated “from.” Therefore many versions simply translate “past” here and in the next verse, as Good News Translation has done (so New American Bible, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible). Bible en français courant says “we passed near the tower of Furnaces.” Translators are advised to follow the model of Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .