complete verse (1 Chronicles 2:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “Nadab had two sons. One was called Seled and the other Appaim. But Seled died without having produced a child.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The sons of Nadab were Seled and Apaim. Seled died without children.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:30

Good News Translation correctly identifies Nadab as the brother of Abishur on the basis of verse 28.

In both verses 30 and 31 the Masoretic Text reads Appa-im, which Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating. On the basis of a single Hebrew manuscript some translations correct this name to “Ephraim” (so New English Bible/Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Bible de Jérusalem also corrected the text to “Ephraim,” but La Bible de Jérusalem: Nouvelle édition revue et corrigée has “Appaim.” According to Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, there is no basis in the Hebrew manuscripts for such a correction, although the original reading in the Septuagint was probably “Ephraim.” Translators should follow the Masoretic Text, which has the name Appa-im.

And Seled died childless is literally “and Seled died not sons,” but the Hebrew term for “sons” is sometimes taken in the broader sense of “children.” Many English versions translate “children” (New International Version, Revised English Bible). Several French versions (Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Bible de Jérusalem, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, La Bible Pléiade, Osty-Trinquet) and English versions (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, American Bible) are more literal with “sons” or “son.” Given the fact that most of the genealogical lists in this section and throughout the Old Testament focus on “sons,” it would not be surprising if this were the intended meaning here.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 2:30

2:30a The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim.

Nadab’s sons ⌊were⌋ Seled and Appaim.
-or-
Nadab ⌊had two⌋ sons. ⌊They were⌋ Seled and Appaim.

2:30b Seled died without children.

Seled died without ⌊having⌋ children.
-or-

⌊Nadab’s son⌋ Seled had no children, and then he died.

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