The sons of Gershom …: Gershom was one of Moses’ two sons (verse 15). Here the Hebrew word for sons probably means “descendants.” The fact that only one son is named does not necessarily mean that Gershom had only one son. God’s Word says “Gershom’s only son was Shebuel,” but this rendering seems to be more specific than the Hebrew is.

Shebuel the chief (literally “Shebuel the head”) most likely means he was the leader of Gershom’s clan (see the comments on verse 11). Braun says “The sons of Gershom had Shebuel as chief.” Others translate the Hebrew word for chief as “first” (New International Version, New Century Version, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie) or “oldest” (Contemporary English Version), which means he was the firstborn. If this interpretation is followed, then Gershom did indeed have more than one son.

Shebuel is called “Shubael” in 1 Chr 24.20 of the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint reads “Shubael” here in verse 16 and is followed by a number of modern versions (Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Moffatt, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Translators may wish to choose one of the two spellings and use the same spelling in both passages in order to avoid confusing the reader.

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 .