Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils …: Others of them is made quite specific in God’s Word, which says “Other descendants of Korah.” New Century Version has “Other gatekeepers” in keeping with its interpretation that the people mentioned in verses 28-34 were not only Levites, but were also gatekeepers. In some languages the passive verb were appointed must be replaced with an active one. But since no specific agent is named in the text, it will be best to use an indefinite subject for an active verb, beginning this verse with “They appointed others…” or “Someone put others in charge of….” In some languages it will be possible to say “Others had the duty of….”

The Hebrew word rendered furniture is the same one translated utensils in the previous verse and in this verse. Here the reference is probably to certain other items not included in the statement in verse 28. Holy utensils included items such as buckets and shovels.

Also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices: The Hebrew noun translated fine flour refers to flour made from the inner kernels of wheat, which were finely ground. It was used in grain offerings and some other food offerings (see, for example, Lev 2). Wine was used in drink offerings (see Lev 23.13). Oil refers to “olive oil” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation), which was used along with fine flour and incense in some food offerings (see Lev 2). It was also used as fuel in the lamps of the Tabernacle and Temple (see Lev 24.2). The spices were used to make incense (see 2 Chr 2.4), or they were mixed together with oil to form a mixture that was used in the anointing of the priests and in the dedication of various pieces of equipment used in the Tabernacle and Temple (see Exo 30.23-33). These spices included myrrh, cinnamon, cane, and cassia.

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 .