complete verse (1 Chronicles 6:44)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 6:44:

  • Kupsabiny: “The second assistant to Heman was Ethan who hailed from the house of Merari. His father was called Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluk,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Haman’s second assistant was Ethan of the Merari clan. Ethan was the son of Kishi. Kishi was the son of Abdi. Abdi was the son of Malluk.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The descendant of Merari who was Etan, the second helper of Heman. Etan was the child of Kishi. Kishi was the child of Abdi. Abdi was the child of Maluc.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “A group of singers from Merari’s family helped Heman and Asaph. They stood to the left of Heman. The leader of this group was Ethan, the son of Kishi.
    Kishi was the son of Abdi.
    Abdi was the son of Malluch.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:44

On the left hand were their brethren the sons of Merari: Regarding the expression On the left hand, see the comments on verse 39. Some languages will say “Standing at his left side,” “Standing by him at his left,” or “Standing at the left side of Heman and his group.” The pronoun their refers to Heman (verse 33) and Asaph (verse 39). Brethren may be rendered “relatives” (God’s Word, Holman Christian Standard Bible) or “associates” (New International Version). See the comments on the word “brother” at verse 39. Merari was a son of Levi (verse 1).

Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi …: As in verses 33-43, Good News Translation omits the repetition of son of in verses 44-47, but makes it clear that each successive name refers to an earlier generation by saying that Ethan’s “family line went back to Levi.”

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 6:44

6:44a On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari:

Heman and Asaph’s helper was from the clan of Merari. ⌊He stood⌋ at Heman’s left side.
-or-
⌊That leading musician, Heman, had Ethan⌋ as his other assistant. ⌊Ethan was⌋ his relative from the clan of ⌊Levi’s son⌋ Merari.
-or-
The descendants of Merari ⌊were serving⌋ on Heman’s left side. ⌊They were led by Heman and Asaph’s fellow Levite, Ethan.⌋

6:44b Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,

Ethan ⌊was⌋ the son of Kishi. ⌊Kishi was⌋ the son of Abdi. ⌊Abdi was⌋ the son of Malluk.
-or-
Ethan’s father ⌊was⌋ Kishi. Kishi’s father ⌊was⌋ Abdi. Abdi’s father ⌊was⌋ Malluk.
-or-

⌊Ethan’s family line went back to Levi like this:⌋ Ethan, Kishi, Abdi, Malluk,

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