complete verse (Nehemiah 12:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 12:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “Among them were Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “along with Azaria, Ezra, Mesulam,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Behind them marched a group of priests who were blowing trumpets. They were Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and Jeremiah. Next came Zechariah, the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, a descendant of Asaph.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 12:33 - 12:35

The list of trumpet players is now given. Next in the procession came seven priests with trumpets (see also verse 41).

Some translations have “Uzziel” in place of Azariah on the basis of the Syriac version and 1 Chr 25.4, but translators are advised to keep Azariah in the translation.

And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets refers back to the names that are cited in verses 33-34. The connector and should be translated as “that is.” To make this easier to follow, Good News Translation restructures the three verses into a clearer sequence. Certain of the priests’ sons means those of the priestly group. For trumpets see the comments at Ezra 3.10.

The trumpet players were followed by the Levite Zechariah, the director of music for the first choir, whose lineage is traced back to Asaph. Good News Translation places part of the lineage in parentheses as an editorial comment, but this is not necessary.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .