And Mikloth (he was the father of Shime-ah): As noted in the comments on verse 31, some translations have the name Mikloth at the end of that verse and then repeat it again at the beginning of this verse. However, the Masoretic Text does not have Mikloth at the end of verse 31. Revised Standard Version and most other translations include Mikloth as the last in the list of sons begun in verse 30 by saying and Mikloth, as does the parallel text in 1 Chr 9.37. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and El libro del Pueblo de Dios do not show that Mikloth was related to the preceding persons named by beginning this verse with “Mikloth was the father of Shimeah.” It should be clear that he was one of the sons of Jeiel.

Shime-ah is called “Shime-am” in 1 Chr 9.38. Good News Translation uses the name “Shimeah” in both verses, while New Living Translation and Moffatt have “Shimeam” in both places.

Now these also dwelt opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen: The meaning of this sentence may be that some of the Benjaminite people from Gibeon moved to Jerusalem, but the text does not say how many. Contemporary English Version says “Some of them went to live in Jerusalem near their relatives.” It is also possible to understand that everyone named in verses 30-32 lived in Jerusalem (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version) or, more likely, that only Mikloth and Shimeah lived in Jerusalem.

A footnote in Osty-Trinquet states that the Hebrew text of this sentence is not clear and the interpretation is difficult. There is a textual problem since the ancient Syriac, followed by Revised English Bible, omits with their kinsmen. There is also a difficulty in knowing what the Hebrew words translated opposite their kinsman mean. The words opposite their kinsmen are understood by some to mean “unlike their kinsmen.” That is, unlike their brothers named in verses 30-31, Mikloth and Shimeah lived in Jerusalem with other kinsmen. Compare the following two translations of the whole verse which are based on this understanding: “Mikloth was the father of Shimeah, and unlike the preceding, he lived in Jerusalem with all the people of his tribe” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente) and “Mikloth fathered Shimeah. But they, unlike their brothers, lived at Jerusalem with their brothers” (New Jerusalem Bible). Compare also “and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. These latter, unlike their family, lived in Jerusalem with other members of their clan” (Bible en français courant).

Other interpreters understand the Hebrew words translated opposite their kinsmen to mean “near their kinsmen [in Gibeon].” That is, they lived near their Benjaminite relatives who lived in Gibeon, they themselves living with their Benjaminite relatives who lived in Jerusalem. De Vries follows this interpretation and suggests the following translation for Now these also … opposite their kinsmen: “Now even these were closely adjacent to their fellow clansmen.” But since Gibeon was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Jerusalem, this interpretation is not likely. Other interpreters think that the two phrases opposite their kinsmen and with their kinsmen are synonymous expressions. If this interpretation is accepted, then it will not be necessary to translate both phrases. The result will therefore be very similar to the translation of Revised English Bible, which is based on textual considerations: “they lived alongside their kinsmen in Jerusalem.” There is no way to decide definitively which of the two interpretations above is more likely to be correct so translators may wish to put one in the text of their translation and the other in a footnote.

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 .