And their kinsmen who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days …: Their kinsmen refers to the relatives of the four chief gatekeepers mentioned in verse 17 who lived in Jerusalem. The Hebrew word translated kinsmen is better rendered “relatives” (Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible) rather than the literal “brothers” (New International Version) in this context. Villages renders a Hebrew word that usually refers to a relatively small population center without walls (see the comments on verse 16). Were obliged to come in is literally “to come [in].” There is actually no verb meaning “to oblige” in the Hebrew text, which has only the infinitive form of the verb meaning “to come” preceded by a preposition showing purpose. The meaning, however, is clear enough. The relatives of the chief guards were expected to take their turns at guard duty for seven days at a time.

From time to time renders a Hebrew idiom that suggests a regular calendar. Revised Standard Version‘s literal translation, every seven days, from time to time, seems to suggest that the guards who lived in the villages came at irregular times for seven days. A better rendering is “at regular intervals for seven days” or “at certain times for seven days” (similarly International Children’s Bible).

The Hebrew words translated to be with these actually contain no verb. What is implied here is probably not simply to be with the chief guards in the sense of accompanying them, but “to come on duty with them” (Revised English Bible) or “to assist them” (New Jerusalem 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 .