Then: The common Hebrew conjunction here is translated as a temporal connector, but it could be taken as a logical connector (“So” in New American Bible and New International Version). Some versions omit it altogether (Osty-Trinquet).

Sennacherib king of Assyria: As elsewhere, it will be more natural in some languages to place the title king before the name. In some cases it may be better to use only the name or only the title since the two are associated earlier in the text (verse 20 as well as 2 Kgs 18.13). But in certain cases both the name and title will be appropriate since this is the conclusion of the story.

The verb departed (literally “departed and went/walked” in Hebrew) may appropriately be translated by a military expression, such as “retreated,” in this context. Revised English Bible, for example, has “broke camp and marched away.” New International Version, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible use similar expressions.

Went home, and dwelt at Nineveh: The conjunction and may be misleading here. Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, is the same place as home, and the Hebrew verb translated went home is literally only “returned.” So it may be better to say something like “returned to [his home in] Nineveh where he stayed.” Revised English Bible is quite similar with “went back to Nineveh and remained there.” Compare also New Living Translation: “He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there.”

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 .