The lampstands and their lamps of pure gold: See verse 7 and the comments on 1 Chr 28.15. The meaning of the Hebrew word translated pure is uncertain. Some scholars think it comes from a word meaning “to heat in an oven.” According to this interpretation, the gold would have been heated to remove the impurities. Others think it means “red” (so Revised English Bible). Another possible solution is that the word comes from a root meaning “to shut” or “to close,” with the meaning that this gold was something rare and valuable. Pure gold most likely refers to the highest quality gold. See the comments on 1 Chr 28.17, where a similar expression in Hebrew occurs.

To burn before the inner sanctuary: Inner sanctuary translates the Hebrew term debir, which refers to the Most Holy Place (see the comments on 2 Chr 3.16). Translations include “Debir” (New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem), “inner room” (God’s Word, La Bible du Semeur), and “Most Holy Place” (Good News Translation). It will be better to translate the Hebrew word, since the word “Debir” will have no meaning in other languages.

As prescribed is literally “according to the plan.” See the comments on 2Chr 4.7, where a similar expression in Hebrew occurs. For languages that have to avoid passive constructions, this clause may be rendered “in the way that God ordered,” “according to the rule that God established,” or “as the law required.”

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 .