Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils …: Others of them is made quite specific in God’s Word, which says “Other descendants of Korah.” New Century Version has “Other gatekeepers” in keeping with its interpretation that the people mentioned in verses 28-34 were not only Levites, but were also gatekeepers. In some languages the passive verb were appointed must be replaced with an active one. But since no specific agent is named in the text, it will be best to use an indefinite subject for an active verb, beginning this verse with “They appointed others…” or “Someone put others in charge of….” In some languages it will be possible to say “Others had the duty of….”

The Hebrew word rendered furniture is the same one translated utensils in the previous verse and in this verse. Here the reference is probably to certain other items not included in the statement in verse 28. Holy utensils included items such as buckets and shovels.

Also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices: The Hebrew noun translated fine flour refers to flour made from the inner kernels of wheat, which were finely ground. It was used in grain offerings and some other food offerings (see, for example, Lev 2). Wine was used in drink offerings (see Lev 23.13). Oil refers to “olive oil” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation), which was used along with fine flour and incense in some food offerings (see Lev 2). It was also used as fuel in the lamps of the Tabernacle and Temple (see Lev 24.2). The spices were used to make incense (see 2 Chr 2.4), or they were mixed together with oil to form a mixture that was used in the anointing of the priests and in the dedication of various pieces of equipment used in the Tabernacle and Temple (see Exo 30.23-33). These spices included myrrh, cinnamon, cane, and cassia.

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 .

Naarai the son of Ezbai (verse 37): Naarai is called “Paarai” in 2 Sam 23.35. It is possible that the text originally read “Paarai the Arbite,” as in 2 Samuel, and that the reading here in 1 Chronicles is the result of a scribe’s error. In any case, the text here should not be harmonized with the parallel in 2 Samuel.

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 .

Which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob, as an everlasting covenant to Israel: The two lines of this verse are parallel. Jacob and Israel refer to the same patriarch (but see the comments on the next verse). A statute to Jacob and an everlasting covenant to Israel refer to the same agreement (see Gen 28.13-15; 35.11-12). Confirmed is literally “made stand.” New American Bible says “established.” The Hebrew word rendered statute refers to an authoritative statement or a pronouncement of some kind. It may be rendered “law” (New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “decree” (New Living Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), but it is used here as a synonym for covenant.

The Good News Translation rendering of this verse risks being misunderstood as speaking of another covenant different from the one spoken of earlier. So it might be better to say “The LORD renewed this covenant with Jacob, one that will last forever.”

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 .

And I have been with you wherever you went: In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of these two clauses by saying “Everywhere you went, I remained with you.”

And have cut off all your enemies from before you: In this context the verb cut off may be rendered “destroyed” (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible) or “defeated” (Good News Translation, New Century Version). A literal rendering is likely to be misunderstood in many languages, although the English idiom “cut down” (New American Bible) may be appropriate in the context of warfare. New Jerusalem Bible uses the expression “got rid of.” The phrase from before you is left untranslated in some versions, but the expression seems to indicate that the destruction of David’s enemies took place in his presence as he moved forward in battle. This phrase may be awkward in some languages if translated literally. Revised English Bible offers a good model with “in your path,” and so does Contemporary English Version with “right in front of your eyes.”

And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth: The form of the Hebrew verb rendered will make may be understood here in two different ways. It may be taken as expressing future tense or past tense. The majority of versions use future tense here, but Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has past tense, rendering the whole clause as “and I have given you fame, like the most important men of the world have” (similarly Contemporary English Version, La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous). In this context the word name refers to “reputation” (Bible en français courant) or “fame” (Revised English Bible). The great ones of the earth refers to people who were well known by other people throughout the world. God’s Word speaks of “the greatest people on earth.”

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 .

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army: As in verse 12, most readers would have no way of knowing that Zeruiah was a woman even though the original readers or hearers of this passage very likely knew this. So it may be a good idea to follow the Good News Translation model (also Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), which renders Joab the son of Zeruiah as “Abishai’s brother Joab.” This rendering at least points the reader back to the identification of Zeruiah in verse 12 (see the comments there). Bible en français courant solves the problem by saying “Joab, whose mother was called Zeruiah.” Was over the army is literally “over the army.” Revised Standard Version adds the verb was. In some languages it will be more natural to render was over as “commanded,” “controlled,” or “supervised.” Still others may say “looked over the affairs of” or “was the leader of.” Compare also “was commanding general of” ( NET Bible).

And Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: The precise meaning of the Hebrew terms translated recorder here and “secretary” in the following verse is not clear. And the difference between the two is also uncertain. But the rendering of the two terms should be decided together. McCarter translates the term for recorder as “remembrancer” in the parallel passage of 2 Sam 8.16, and indeed the root verb on which the Hebrew noun is based is “to remember” or “to be mindful.” According to the American Bible commentary, the task of the person holding this office has been compared to that of the Egyptian “speaker,” who was responsible to report to the king and to communicate his proclamations to his subjects. Therefore American Bible and Bible en français courant say “spokesman [for the king]” here. New Jerusalem Bible seems to follow this interpretation by translating “herald.” Revised English Bible has the modern sounding expression “secretary of state.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, like Moffatt, translates “chancellor,” but adds a note giving details about the duties of this office. The majority of English versions still use the noun “recorder” or a verb phrase having a similar meaning, such as “kept the records” (Knox). The person’s duties probably included oversight of public records. In some languages the term that is applied to the keeper of oral history and traditions of the society may be the best one to use here. But translators may accept the alternative interpretation that Ahilud was a “royal herald.” Some may say “king’s spokesman,” “person in charge of direct communication with the king,” or “person who reported to the king and made known his decisions to the people.”

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 .