With them were Heman and Jeduthun: The pronoun them refers to Zadok and his fellow priests (see verse 39). Heman is first mentioned in 1 Chr 6.33 and is mentioned again in chapter 25. Jeduthun is perhaps the same person as Ethan, who is mentioned in 15.17, 19, along with Asaph and Heman. However, a number of scholars think that the author of 1 Chronicles used several different traditions concerning the genealogies of the Temple singers and that at a later stage of the traditions, Ethan replaced Jeduthun. Even though such an explanation seems probable, translators should not harmonize the texts and replace Ethan with Jeduthun or vice versa. Jeduthun and his descendants are mentioned again in 1 Chr 25; 2 Chr 5.12; 29.14; and 35.15.

And the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the LORD: The text does not state who did the choosing, but perhaps it was King David (see verses 4-6). The reference here is to the other singers named in 1 Chr 15.20-21 who had not been appointed to serve before the ark in Jerusalem.

For his steadfast love endures for ever: See the comments on verse 34. There are two ways this clause may be related to the rest of the verse:

• (1) It may introduce the reason why these people were to give thanks to the LORD (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).

• (2) But it may also be considered a quotation from what is typical in thanksgiving psalms. Revised English Bible follows the second interpretation by rendering the last half of this verse as “and the other men chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, ‘for his love enures for ever’ ” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Braun). American Bible is similar, but the quotation begins sooner as follows: “and the rest of those selected and designated by name to render ‘Give thanks to Yahweh for his devotion is everlasting.’ ”

Either interpretation and translation is acceptable.

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 .