Joktan was the father of …: Father may mean “ancestor” (Contemporary English Version) in this context. It is for this reason that Good News Translation says “The descendants of Joktan were…” rather than “The sons/children of Joktan were….” As in previous verses, it may be wise to follow the example of Good News Translation, indicating that the names of these descendants are not to be taken as individuals, but that they represent whole people groups, thirteen in all. The exact location of most of these peoples is unknown (see the comments on the previous verse).

The descendants of Hazarmaveth lived in the Wadi Hadhramaut in southern Arabia. This kingdom was located on the southern coast east of modern Yemen. Nearly all translations follow the Masoretic Text in reading “Hazarmaveth.” However, the New English Bible (New English Bible) and Revised English Bible read “Hazarmoth,” apparently on the basis of the Septuagint.

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 .