Since Jezebel was identified as Ahab’s wife in verse 5, Good News Translation does not repeat that information here, leaving it implicit even though it is stated in Hebrew. Similarly Good News Translation omits the words the Jezreelite in describing Naboth, as in verse 6.

Do you now govern Israel? is literally “Do you [emphatic pronoun in Hebrew] now make kingdom over Israel?” or “You [emphatic] now make kingdom over Israel.” There is no particle in the Hebrew to indicate that this is a question, but such particles are not always used, especially in rhetorical questions, as in 2 Kgs 19.11. Here Jezebel’s question to Ahab is probably rhetorical and implies a slight rebuke. Some translations, though, render this as a positive statement, while maintaining the nuance of disapproval with the use of an exclamation mark; for example, “A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed!” (New American Bible) and “Some king of Israel you make!” (New Jerusalem Bible). Bible en français courant expresses the meaning in a slightly different way, saying “Certainly, you forget that you are the king of Israel!”

Arise: While the use of this verb along with another one is frequently not to be taken literally, the context makes it clear that it is intended to be taken literally here. It may be rendered “Get up!”

Eat bread: As in verses 4 and 5, the Hebrew noun for bread may be translated with the more general noun “food.” In some cases it will be more natural to say simply “Eat!” leaving the idea of food implied.

Let your heart be cheerful is literally “let your heart be good.” Similar Hebrew expressions occur in 1 Sam 25.36 and 2 Sam 13.28. This is rendered in idiomatic English as “cheer up” (Good News Translation, Moffatt) and “take heart” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). In other languages the idiom used may be something like “take back your happiness,” “don’t worry about it” (New Living Translation), or simply “rejoice” (Bible en français courant).

I will give you the vineyard of Naboth: In Hebrew the first person pronoun I is emphatic. Naboth would not give the vineyard to Ahab, but the queen will get it for him! Compare the rendering “It is I who will give you…” (Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), which highlights the emphatic pronoun. Anchor Bible shows the emphasis by the use of italic font, saying “I will give you…!” The addition of an independent pronoun will accomplish the same purpose in some other languages.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .