complete verse (1 Chronicles 2:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “Zerah produced Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Darda.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Zerah had five sons. They were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Darda.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The male children of Zera were Zimri, Etan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda — they were five in all.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:6

The sons of Zerah: On the basis of verse 4, Good News Translation identifies Zerah as the brother of Perez, saying “His brother Zerah.”

Regarding the identity of Zimri, see the comments on the next verse.

The Masoretic Text reads Dara, but the parallel in 1 Kgs 5.11God’s Word (4.31 in RSV) has the name “Darda.” Here in 1 Chronicles some Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, as well as the Vulgate and the Syriac, read “Darda.” Since there is no way to know whether the name in the Masoretic Text of 1 Kings or the name here in 1 Chronicles is the correct name, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to Dara here, encouraging translators not to harmonize the differences. However, it is clear that the same person is intended and the difference in spelling is minimal. Many modern versions harmonize the names (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, La Bible du Semeur, Bible de Jérusalem, Nueva Versión Internacional, Osty-Trinquet), and many of them do so without any explanatory footnote.

Five in all: This detail may be naturally shifted forward in some languages following the model of Good News Translation. These five sons became the heads of the five clans of the Zerahites (Num 26.20).

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 2:6

2:6 The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.

The sons of Zerah ⌊were⌋ Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda. ⌊There were⌋ five in all.
-or-

⌊Judah’s son⌋ Zerah ⌊was the twin brother of Perez. Zerah had⌋ five sons. They ⌊were named⌋ Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda.

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