All these were of the sons of Obed-edom …: All these refers to the names mentioned in verses 4-7. In this context sons is to be taken in the sense of “descendants” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version). Parole de Vie begins this verse with “These men of the family of Obed-Edom….”

Able men is literally “man of strength” (see the comments on 1 Chr 26.6). This phrase is in the singular, but since it comes after the plural word sons and brethren, it has a distributive meaning. The singular points to the fact that each man was competent. Bible en français courant and La Bible du Semeur say “persons of real ability.”

Qualified for the service is literally “with power for the work,” referring to the work of guarding the Temple. The Hebrew noun for “power” has a literal meaning of physical strength and energy. Perhaps this noun should be given the literal physical sense of strength, since the gatekeepers may have been physically strong in order to serve as guards. Compare Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, which says “strong in order to work as Temple guards.” But the word in this context may mean simply that they had the physical stamina to do their work energetically. So New International Version says “with the strength to do the work.” Similar renderings are “carrying out their work energetically” (La Bible du Semeur) and “because of the energy they showed in their service” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). But this Hebrew noun may also be used figuratively and refer to ability. Revised English Bible, for example, says “fit for service in the temple.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders this expression and the previous one as “strong and able men for the service,” which is a helpful model.

Sixty-two of Obed-edom: This phrase will fit more naturally much earlier in the verse in many languages; for example, Contemporary English Version renders the whole verse as “There were 62 descendants of Obed-Edom who were strong enough to be guards at the temple.”

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 .