But translates the common Hebrew conjunction. In this context it may be rendered “But” (New International Version, New Living Translation), “Yet” (Good News Translation), or “Nevertheless” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) since this verse expresses a thought somewhat contrary to what Solomon has just said in the previous verse.
Who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him?: This question is rhetorical. Solomon is not asking a question to which he expects an answer. Several modern versions turn the question into a statement (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Moffatt, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). This may also be a good model to follow in many other languages if the question form is likely to be misunderstood. Heaven, even the highest heaven (see 1 Kgs 8.27; 2 Chr 6.18) is literally “the heavens and the heavens of the heavens” (New Jerusalem Bible). Ways of expressing the meaning of this Hebrew superlative include “all the vastness of heaven” (Good News Translation) and “heaven in all its vastness” (La Bible du Semeur).
The Hebrew conjunction translated since introduces the clause that states why no one can really build a house for God. In some languages the order of the two clauses will have to be reversed by saying “Not even highest heaven can contain him, so who is able to build him a house?” or “… therefore it is clear that no one can build a house big enough for him.”
Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to burn incense before him?: This is another rhetorical question. Solomon understands the Temple as a place where God is to be worshiped, not the place where he will live. As with the previous rhetorical question, many languages will probably need to transform it into an affirmation. Contemporary English Version provides a possible model with “All I can do is build a place where we can offer sacrifices to him,” and so does Bible en français courant with “As for me, I do not intend to build him a dwelling, but only a place of worship where sacrifices can be made to him.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .