Ahi the son of Abdi-el, son of Guni, was chief in their fathers’ houses: The list of names continues from the previous verse, but the connection of this verse with what precedes it is not clear. Klein says, “This verse is one of the most problematical sections in all the genealogies” (page 165). One of the problems involves the name Ahi, which means “my brother” in Hebrew. So should Ahi the son of Abdi-el be rendered “brother of the son of Abdiel”? Some translators follow part of the Septuagint tradition and omit the name Ahi (so Knoppers). Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, and most other modern versions begin a new sentence at the beginning of this verse, which may be the best solution. According to this way of understanding the Hebrew, Ahi was chief of the Gadite clans. The pronoun their refers to the Gadite clans mentioned in verses 12-13. Ahi … was chief in their fathers’ houses may be translated “Ahi … was head of these clans” (Good News Translation) or “Ahi … was chief in their clans” (similarly New Revised Standard Version). Compare verse 13.

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 .