While the exact meaning of this verse is uncertain, it is quite clear that the actions described here constitute an additional change in the arrangement of the Temple furnishings that was done in obedience to the wishes of the king of Assyria. The sense is probably that Ahaz removed some of the objects from the Temple (verse 17) in order to pay tribute to the king of Assyria and that he also made changes in the Temple building itself to show that he was subject to the rule of the Assyrian king (verse 18).

The covered way for the sabbath is one possible understanding of a difficult Hebrew text. The words the covered way translate a technical architectural term in Hebrew whose meaning is uncertain, although most interpreters understand this rare term to come from a root meaning “to cover.” Furthermore, the relation of this term to the sabbath is also uncertain. This uncertainty is reflected in various translations, such as “the Sabbath canopy” (New International Version), “covered portal for use on the sabbath” (New Revised Standard Version), “the structure … for use on the sabbath” (Revised English Bible), “the sabbath passage” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “the sabbath covering” (American Bible).

One version of the ancient Greek translation reads “the foundation of the throne.” This reading is the basis for modern translations, such as “the platform for the royal throne” (Good News Translation, New Century Version), “the emplacement … for a throne” (New American Bible), and “the dais for the throne” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends that the Masoretic Text be followed, but it acknowledges the difficulty of the text by giving only a {C} rating to the Hebrew noun translated the covered way and a {D} rating to the word sabbath.

Which had been built inside the palace: Some versions understand the palace to be a reference to the king’s palace (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), but others believe it refers to the Temple (Good News Translation, Nouvelle Bible Segond, La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) since the Hebrew word rendered palace is literally “house.” Since the exact meaning of this verse is uncertain, either interpretation is acceptable.

The outer entrance for the king: The meaning of these words is not clear in Hebrew. Good News Translation says “the king’s private entrance,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “the king’s outer entrance.” Translators should follow either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation and indicate in a footnote that the meaning of the Hebrew here is unclear.

In place of the words translated he removed from the house of the LORD (Revised Standard Version), which are based on a correction of the Hebrew text, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, which reads “he turned about in the house of the LORD” (similarly New English Bible). The Masoretic Text does not have the word from. Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which attempts to translate the Masoretic Text: “He also extended to the House of the LORD.” But the meaning of the reading in the Masoretic Text is uncertain and most versions choose to translate the text reflected in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament does not discuss this problem since it is not really a textual problem. The correction found in Revised Standard Version is based on suggested corrections by scholars who are trying to make sense of the Hebrew. Translators should probably follow the interpretation found in Revised Standard Version and perhaps indicate in a footnote that “The text of verse 18 is not clear and the translation is uncertain” (so Bible en français courant).

Because of the king of Assyria: The precise meaning of this clause is disputed by biblical scholars. Some commentators have suggested that it means “by order of the king of Assyria.” But Ahaz’s actions in verses 17-18 may not have come as a result of a direct command; they may have been done simply “to satisfy the king of Assyria” (Revised English Bible) or “in deference to the king…” (New Jerusalem Bible). As noted above, perhaps the items removed from the Temple were to be used as part of the bribe to the Assyrian king. In certain languages it may be better to move this information to the beginning of the verse as Good News Translation has done. A very different interpretation of because of the king of Assyria is also possible: Ahaz removed the expensive articles and ornamental structures and put them where the representatives of the Assyrian king would not see them and take them for the Assyrian king.

While there are many uncertainties in the understanding of verses 17-18, a possible model for them is:

• Then King Ahaz had the side panels removed from the bronze carts. He also took the small washing bowls off the carts. Then he removed the large bronze bowl, which was called the Sea, from the statues of the bronze bulls that held it up. And he had it put on a stand made of stone. Ahaz also took down the platform that had been used for worship on the Sabbath. He even closed up the entrance the kings of Judah had been using for going into the Temple. All these thing he did to make the king of Assyria happy.

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