Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices is literally “And from the sons of the priests were the preparers of the mixing of the spices.” It is probably wise to introduce this verse with a contrasting conjunction as in Good News Translation since there is an implied contrast between the responsibilities of the Levites in the previous verses and those of the priests in this case. La Bible du Semeur also begins with the connector “But.” Contemporary English Version is even stronger with “But only.”

If the sons of the priests is translated literally (so also Crampon, Chouraqui), it may incorrectly suggest that the priests’ sons and not the priests themselves were responsible for mixing the spices. Since this expression as well as “the sons of Aaron” are frequently used to speak of the priests themselves, it will be better to translate simply “the priests.”

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 .