Translators will notice above the difference in format between Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. The presentation of these names in the form of a list is more natural in modern English. Translators will want to consider whether the paragraph format or the list format will be most helpful in the receptor language.

Translators will also notice that in verses 3-5 interpreters and translators disagree on whether the Hebrew words rendered of Anathoth (literally “the Anathothite”), of Gederah (literally “the Gederathite”), and the Haruphite refer only to the last person mentioned in each verse (so Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or to preceding names in the verse also in addition to the last person named (so Good News Translation). Either interpretation is possible.

None of the men mentioned in verses 3-7 is known elsewhere in the Old Testament.

The chief was Ahi-ezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah of Gibe-ah (verse 3): The Hebrew word translated chief is literally “head” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). It may also be translated “leader” (New Living Translation, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “foremost” (Revised English Bible). The Masoretic Text for this sentence is literally “The chief Ahiezer and Joash sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite.” It is not clear whether both Ahiezer and Joash were considered leaders (so Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or only Ahiezer (so Revised Standard Version, Bible en français courant). According to the Masoretic Text, both Ahiezer and Joash were sons of Shemaah. However, some Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts read the singular “son,” so that only Joash is named as a son of Shemaah (so American Bible). In the Masoretic Text the name Shemaah has the definite article (ha in Hebrew). Nearly all translations follow the ancient versions in omitting the article. Rather than understanding the first consonant as the definite article, some versions take the consonant as the first letter in the person’s name; for example, New Jerusalem Bible and Bible de Jérusalem have “Hassemar.”

Gibe-ah was a town located a short distance north of Jerusalem. New Century Version makes the identification of Gibe-ah explicit by saying “the town of Gibeah” (New Century Version).

The sons of Azmaveth (verse 3): Revised English Bible corrects the Masoretic Text to read “men of Beth-azmoth.” In Neh 7.28 the men of Beth-azmoth are listed after the men of Anathoth. But the Masoretic Text makes sense here in verse 3, and there is no convincing reason to change the text as Revised English Bible has done.

Anathoth (verse 3) was located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) northeast of Jerusalem. As in the case of Gibeah, New Century Version makes the identification of Anathoth explicit by saying “the town of Anathoth.”

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 .