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12. Daughters. Most interpreters prefer the translation, “villages” (see ch. 11:25-31, where the Hebrew word is thus translated). These would be villages over which Shallum ruled as head of half a district. Some commentators, however, accept a literal interpretation, thinking that Shallum’s daughters aided him in the work. This view cannot be rejected on ethical grounds, since it is not uncommon in the East for women to do heavy work.