Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old: Afterward refers to after the birth of Hezron’s three sons Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb (verse 9). Another commonly used translation at this point is “Later” (New International Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible) or “After this” (Holman Christian Standard Bible). Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and Nueva Versión Internacional reverse the order of the clauses in this verse by beginning with “When Hezron was sixty years old.”

The Hebrew idiom rendered went in to refers to sexual intercourse. The idea of sexual intercourse is made more explicit in some modern translations; for example, “lay with” (New International Version), “had relations with” (New American Bible), “slept with” (Holman Christian Standard Bible), “had sexual relations with” (Complete Jewish Bible), and “had intercourse with” (Revised English Bible).

The daughter of Machir the father of Gilead is a literal translation of the Hebrew, which may be confusing. Machir was both (a) the father of Hezron’s wife and (b) the father of Gilead. Good News Translation restates the relationships by saying “Machir’s daughter, the sister of Gilead.” According to Num 26.29, Machir was Manasseh’s oldest son. The daughter of Machir is not named here, but according to some interpretations of verse 24, her name was “Abijah.” The Hebrew expression for father of Gilead may also mean “founder of Gilead.” In the next verse Gilead refers to a place.

Married is literally “took,” similar to verse 19. Revised English Bible shifts this idea forward in the verse, placing it before of idea of sexual intercourse.

It should be clear in translation that it was Hezron who was sixty years old.

And she bore him Segub: Since the next verse indicates that Segub was a male, that information may be made explicit here by adding “a son” (so Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The “Segub” who is mentioned in 1 Kgs 16.34 refers to a different person much later in the history of Israel.

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 .