complete verse (1 Chronicles 2:34)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:34:

  • Kupsabiny: “Sheshan had no son, but he had only daughters. He had a servant who was from Egypt who was called Jarha.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Sheshan only had daughters, he had no sons. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Sheshan had no male children but females/(daughters) only. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:34

Verses 34-41 list the descendants of Sheshan.

Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters: Sheshan was introduced in verse 31, where he is said to have had a child named Ahlai. An ancient Jewish interpretation claims that Ahlai was a son, but that this son died during Sheshan’s lifetime. It is assumed by some interpreters that Ahlai was a daughter and that she married the Egyptian slave mentioned in this verse, but Ahlai’s name is not given at this point. In fact, the text makes it clear that Sheshan had more than one daughter since the Hebrew word translated daughters is plural. Instead of translating only daughters literally, it may be more natural in some languages to say “but he did have [some] daughters” (similarly New Living Translation).

But Sheshan had an Egyptian slave, whose name was Jarha: Jarha (called “Jokhel” in the Septuagint) was a male, as the next verse makes clear. His relationship with Sheshan was that of a slave. But through marriage he became a son-in-law (verse 35). The Hebrew word translated slave has a wide range of uses, indicating various types of subordination. Frequently in 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, this noun refers to officers of a king or of a military commander. In such contexts Good News Translation usually uses the term “official.” In other contexts it often says “servant,” as it does here (also New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Bible de Jérusalem). But in this verse the meaning is certainly stronger than a salaried domestic helper. The term refers to a person who is completely under the control and authority of a master. In some languages there is no word for slave but only something like “worker” or “employee.” But translators should ensure that their readers understand that this man was not a hired employee, but one under the complete authority of Sheshan.

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 2:34

2:34a Sheshan had no sons, but only daughters;

Sheshan did not have sons. He had only daughters.
-or-
Sheshan had only daughters. He did not have any sons.

2:34b but he did have an Egyptian servant named Jarha.

However, he had an Egyptian servant called Jarha.
-or-
Sheshan had an Egyptian servant. He was named Jarha.

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