The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse may be taken as logical (Revised Standard Version So) or temporal (Good News Translation “Then”). But the majority of modern English versions seem to take it as a logical connector.
She wrote letters: In Hebrew plural nouns are sometimes used where English would use a singular form of the noun. In a few places in the Old Testament, the plural letters is used of a sheet folded into several pages, but the reference is to a single letter, that is, to the whole composed of several parts (2 Kgs 19.14). Nearly all interpreters understand the plural letters here to mean several letters; but New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet consider this to be an example of the plural form meaning “a letter” (also the Septuagint). The meaning is not greatly different either way. Either Jezebel wrote individual letters to each person (Revised Standard Version) or she wrote one letter that was circulated among all of the leaders (New Jerusalem Bible).
In Ahab’s name: Some languages may have difficulty expressing the idea of writing a letter “in the name of” someone else. As the Good News Translation rendering indicates, this means simply that Jezebel actually wrote the letter or letters, but signed the name of her husband so that they would have the authority of the king. In some languages it will have to be specifically stated that Jezebel “signed the name of the king” or something similar.
Sealed them is literally “sealed.” Revised Standard Version has added the pronoun them according to the sense of the Hebrew. New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet say “sealed it” because of their translation “a letter.”
With his seal: Kings wore a signet ring that had the king’s name or personal insignia engraved on it in a reverse design (see Jer 22.24). The ring was pressed into a substance such as wax on the seal of a document or object in order to show the king’s official authorization. Such a ring was a sign of power and authority.
The elders and the nobles: Regarding elders, who were heads of families, see the comments on 1 Kgs 8.1. The nobles (literally “freemen”) were wealthy landowners who had certain rights not given to all members of the society. It is possible that these two terms, elders and nobles, are two different ways of referring to the same group of people.
Who dwelt with Naboth in his city: The words who dwelt with may be translated literally as “who sat with.” The writer may simply be describing where the elders and nobles lived. Compare New American Bible: “who lived in the same city with Naboth” (similarly New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible). But more likely these words in Hebrew mean that they were counselors along with Naboth in judicial hearings, that is, they sat with him. Compare Revised English Bible: “who sat in council with him.”
Some translations (Osty-Trinquet) follow the Septuagint in omitting the words in his city. Translators may choose to omit these words for translational reasons even if the Masoretic Text is followed. The city is, of course, Jezreel. The text seems to emphasize the fact that this is Naboth’s city. The words “his city” are repeated twice in verse 11. So it may be best to translate “in Jezreel, his city” to retain the emphasis of the text.
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 .