Good News Translation switches verses 12 and 13 for great ease of understanding. This restructuring introduces the addressees at the beginning instead of at the end as in the Hebrew. The following comments will follow the order of Good News Translation.

As in 1 Chr 16.8 above, the vocative O is a device introduced by Revised Standard Version (and maintained by New Revised Standard Version). Translators do not need to look for ways to reflect this form, but should simply use whatever device the receptor language uses to call for the attention of a group of people being addressed with an important message. In some cases this will be an emphatic second person plural pronoun as in many modern English versions.

Offspring of Abraham his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones: In the Masoretic Text these two lines are literally “Seed of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob his chosen ones.” Revised Standard Version harmonizes the text of 1 Chronicles with the parallel in Psa 105.6 and follows here a few Hebrew manuscripts by reading Abraham in place of “Israel.” We do not recommend this change. New Revised Standard Version follows the Masoretic Text by saying “Israel.” The writer is addressing the Israelite people in exile, and the change from Psa 105.6 is probably intentional (see also verse 19). Since these two lines are parallel, the translation should not give the impression that two different groups of people are being addressed. “Israel” is another name for Jacob (Gen 32.28; 35.10). Offspring is literally “seed,” a collective noun referring to descendants. The noun servant is singular in Hebrew and may refer either to the individual named Israel (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant) or to the “seed” (that is, descendants) of Israel. For Revised English Bible and New American Bible it refers to the “seed,” so they use the plural “servants.” His chosen ones may be better translated in some languages as “the people whom the LORD has chosen” or “you, whom he has chosen” (La Bible du Semeur).

Verse 13 may have to be recast to say “Listen, you descendants of Israel, who was God’s servant [or, who are God’s servants], you descendants of Jacob, who are God’s chosen people.” In some languages it will be appropriate to add a transition expression like “yes” or “that is to say” between the two lines in order to ensure that the readers understand that a single group is intended.

Remember the wonderful works that he has done, the wonders that he wrought: Remember may be better translated “Think of” (New Living Translation), “Reflect on,” “Commemorate,” or “Celebrate.” In speaking of what Yahweh has done, the Hebrew uses two synonymous expressions that are rendered wonderful works (as in verse 9) and wonders. The second noun refers to something that is extraordinary. It sometimes may be translated “signs” since it points to the significance of some wondrous event. In this context it is often translated “miracles” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, American Bible), as in the Septuagint. Good News Translation has combined the two expressions into one, saying “miracles.” Perhaps “great miracles” is better. The wonders probably refer to the plagues of Egypt; the same word is used in Psa 105.27, where it is followed by a description of these plagues.

The judgments he uttered is literally “the judgments of his mouth.” The judgments probably refers to God’s condemnation of Israel’s oppressors, not to the laws given at Mount Sinai. If wonders refers to the plagues in Egypt, then judgments here probably refers to God’s judgment on the Egyptians (Exo 6.6). The judgments he uttered may be rendered “how he judged our enemies.”

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 .