complete verse (1 Chronicles 8:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 8:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “Benjamin produced these sons: Bela, Ashbel, Ahrah,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Benjamin’s first-born son was Bela, [his] second son [was] Ashbel, [his] third son [was] Aharah,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These were the male children of Benjamin from the oldest to the youngest: Bela, Ashbel, Ahara,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Benjamin had five sons: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 8:1

Benjamin was the father of …: The first two verses of this chapter list the names of Benjamin’s five sons by stating first the name and then the order of birth. Good News Translation restructures these verses by saying “Benjamin had five sons. In order of age they were…” (similarly Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The Hebrew verb rendered was the father of is literally “caused to give birth to” or, in older English, “begat” (King James Version). In certain languages a verb like this will be more natural.

Aharah is the reading in the Masoretic Text, but according to Num 26.38, his name is “Ahiram” (so here New Jerusalem Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Osty-Trinquet).

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 8:1

Section 8:1-5 This was the family line of Benjamin

8:1a Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn;

Benjamin’s firstborn son was Bela.
-or-
Benjamin was the father of Bela, ⌊who was⌋ his first son.

8:1b Ashbel was the second born, Aharah the third,

⌊Benjamin’s⌋ second son was Ashbel. ⌊Benjamin’s⌋ third ⌊son was⌋ Aharah.
-or-
Ashbel ⌊was his⌋ second ⌊son⌋ . Aharah ⌊was his⌋ third ⌊son⌋ .

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