These are the men who served and their sons: Care should be taken to avoid a backward reference when translating these words. The reference is forward, pointing to the names that are listed in this verse and the following verses. Contemporary English Version says “Here is a list of these musicians and their family lines.” Others may prefer to say “The men who served, along with their sons, are named in the following list.”

Of the sons of the Kohathites: The Kohathites were descendants of Levi’s son Kohath.

Heman the singer: Singer translates a Hebrew word that usually refers to singing. But in 1–2 Chronicles there is a close relationship between singing and playing instruments as accompaniment. So it seems better in 1–2 Chronicles to use a broader term such as “musician” (New International Version, Revised English Bible). Verse 39 states that the Asaphites stood to the right of Heman and his group of singers, and verse 44 states that the Ethanites stood on the left. It is not clear how these three groups performed, but it is possible that they formed three different choirs, which explains why Good News Translation refers to “the first choir” here, “the second choir” in verse 39, and “the third choir” in verse 44.

The son of Joel, son of Samuel: Good News Translation omits the repetition of son of in verses 33-38, but makes it clear that each successive name refers to an earlier generation by saying that Heman’s “family line went back to Jacob.”

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 .