The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these …: The word divisions refers to “work groups” (Contemporary English Version) or “groups for service” (New Living Translation). In certain languages it is necessary to use an expression such as “rows of men” or “packets of workers” to express this idea. The sons of Aaron refers to men who were priests, so Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch begins this verse with “The priests, the descendants of Aaron, were also divided into groups….” The phrase the sons of Aaron occurs twice in this verse. The first occurrence refers to the priestly order in general, as in verse 31 and 23.32. The second occurrence refers specifically to Aaron’s biological sons (Exo 6.23). For some unknown reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente lists five sons of Aaron: “Nadab, Abihu, Abiathar, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” But this is clearly not recommended as a model.

Bible en français courant provides a helpful model for this verse, saying “The descendants of Aaron were divided into groups. Aaron had four sons, Nadab….” New Living Translation makes explicit that priests are in view, and this may be a good model for other translations: “This is how Aaron’s descendants, the priests, were divided into groups for service. The sons of Aaron were Nabab….”

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 .