family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

complete verse (1 Chronicles 6:39)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 6:39:

  • Kupsabiny: “And the big assistant to Heman was Asaph who hailed from the house of Gershon. He was son of Berekiah, who was son of Shimea,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Heman’s first associate was Asaph. Asaph was the son of Berekiah. Berekiah was the son of Shimea.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The descendant of Gershon who (is/was) Asaf, the first helper of Heman. Asaf was the child of Berekia. Berekia was the child of Shimea.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Heman’s helper was Asaph. His group of singers stood at the right side of Heman.
    Asaph was the son of Berekiah.
    Berekiah was the son of Shimea.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:39

Verses 39-43 are no longer about the clan of Kohath, but about the clan of Gershom. For this reason it is helpful to begin a new paragraph here (so Good News Translation).

And his brother Asaph: The pronoun his refers to Heman (verse 33). In this context the Hebrew word translated brother actually means “relative” (Contemporary English Version) or, more broadly, “colleague” (Bible en français courant) or “helper” (New Century Version). New International Version translates his brother as “Heman’s associate,” while New Living Translation says “Heman’s first assistant.”

Who stood on his right hand: This clause is parallel with “on the left hand” in verse 44. In many languages it will be more natural to say “who stood by his right side.” For the first half of this verse Parole de Vie has “To the right of Heman, there was his colleague Asaph.”

Namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah …: The ancestors of Asaph are listed in verses 39-43, going back to Levi. As in verses 33-38, Good News Translation omits the repetition of son of in these verses, but makes it clear that each successive name refers to an earlier generation by saying that Asaph’s “family line went back to Levi.” In the Hebrew text the name Berechiah is written “Berechyahu” (so Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

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 6:39

6:39a Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand:

Heman’s helper was Asaph. He stood at Heman’s right side and ministered/worked with him.
-or-
⌊That leading musician,⌋ Heman, had Asaph as his main assistant. Asaph was his relative ⌊from the clan of Levi’s son Gershon⌋ .
-or-
⌊The descendants of Gershon⌋ served on Heman’s right side. ⌊They were led by Heman’s⌋ fellow Levite Asaph.

6:39b Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,

Asaph was the son of Berechiah. ⌊Berechiah was⌋ the son of Shimea.
-or-
Asaph’s father ⌊was⌋ Berekiah. Berekiah’s father ⌊was⌋ Shimea.
-or-

⌊Asaph’s family line went back to Levi thus/namely,⌋ Asaph, Berekiah, Shimea,

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