Most modern versions begin a new paragraph at the beginning of this verse since the subject matter changes from people to things. As in verse 11, the subject of the sentence (the Chaldeans) appears toward the end of the verse in Revised Standard Version, but it may be shifted forward for the sake of naturalness and clarity. The Hebrew word order, however, places the focus on the items that were carried away rather than on the people who carried them away.

The pillars of bronze are mentioned in 1 Kgs 7.15-22. It will be recalled that these two columns were given special names (“Jachin” and “Boaz”) in 1 Kgs 7.21.

The Hebrew word translated stands refers to the movable pedestals or “bases” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) described in 1 Kgs 7.27-37. The fact that these objects were movable is brought out in translations like the following: “carts” (Good News Translation), “trolleys” (Revised English Bible), “wheeled carts” (New American Bible), and “wheeled stands” (New Jerusalem Bible). Some languages may have to translate “stands with wheels.”

The bronze sea: A literal translation of these words will be meaningless in certain languages. The word sea is used in this context to refer to a large open container made of metal. Compare 2 Kgs 16.17. New Century Version provides a solution for some translators: “the large bronze bowl, which was called the Sea.” Others may prefer to avoid the word sea altogether, speaking only of “the large bronze basin.” The term sea occurs again in verse 16. See the discussion of this object and its translation in 1 Kgs 7.23.

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 .