And their kinsmen according to their fathers’ houses: The Hebrew word for kinsmen is the same one that occurs in verse 7. It may be rendered “relatives” (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation) or “fellow-tribesmen” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible say “brothers,” but this word is too narrow in meaning if it is taken in its strict sense. Fathers’ houses may be translated “family groups” (La Bible du Semeur) or “clans” (Contemporary English Version). In many languages it is not advisable to translate the word houses literally in a context such as this. New Century Version begins this verse with “The seven relatives in their families.” It treats the names that follow as those of individuals rather than as heads of clans. This, however, is unlikely. New Living Translation is better with “Their relatives, the leaders of seven other clans.”

Instead of Eber, some Hebrew manuscripts and one manuscript of the Septuagint have “Obed.” But no major version adopts this reading. Revised English Bible has “Heber” rather than Eber, but the reason for this spelling is not clear.

The number seven, which comes at the end of this verse in Hebrew (so Revised Standard Version), may be shifted before the list of names if it is considered more natural in this position in the receptor language (so Good News Translation).

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 .