complete verse (1 Chronicles 24:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 24:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “The first lot fell on Jehoiarib, and the second fell on Jedaiah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The first lot fell to Jehoiarib,
    The second lot fell to Jedaiah,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The first-(one) that was-selected-by-lots was Jehoyarib,
    the second was Jedaya,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jehoiarib was the first one whose name was selected by casting lots/throwing marked stones.
    Next Jedaiah was selected.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 24:7 - 24:9

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib …: For the word lot, see the comments on 1 Chr 24.5, and compare also verse 31. Good News Translation uses a passive expression here, saying “This is the order in which the twenty-four family groups were given their assignments….” Good News Translation leaves implied the way in which these assignments were given, namely, by the casting of lots. It gives this information at the beginning of verse 6. But many languages may find it quite natural to repeat it here as in Revised Standard Version.

Some versions present verses 7-18 in the form of a numbered list in paragraph form (so Good News Translation, La Bible du Semeur). Others present the names in two parallel columns of twelve names each, numbered 1-24 (Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Another format that may be helpful in other languages is found in New International Version and Nueva Versión Internacional, which read:

7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib,
the second to Jedaiah,
8 the third to Harim,
the fourth to Seorim,
9 the fifth to Malkijah,
the sixth to Mijamin….

All twenty-four people in this list are men. Ten of the names found here are also found in the parallel list in Neh 12.

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 .