He was thirty-two years old … and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem: These words repeat verse 5; see the comments there.

And he departed with no one’s regret: Departed is a euphemism for “died” (Moffatt). Another euphemism sometimes used in English here is “passed away” (New International Version, Anchor Bible, Dillard). With no one’s regret is literally “with no desirable thing” or “without desire.” A lack of desire means the people had no sense of loss, no sense of sorrow. This phrase has also been translated “unsung” (Revised English Bible), “unloved” (New American Bible), and “unlamented” (New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible). In many languages this clause may require a separate sentence, for example, “No one cared when Jehoram died” or “No one cried when this king died.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “unpraised” and adds a footnote saying that it follows the Septuagint by giving this meaning to the Hebrew noun here. But the Hebrew makes sense here and should be followed.

They buried him in the city of David: The referent for the pronoun They is indefinite. If a more precise subject is required by the receptor language, translators may say “his people” as in the previous verse. Or if a passive form is acceptable, They buried him may be rendered “He was buried” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version). For the city of David, see the comments on 1 Chr 11.5 and 2 Chr 5.2.

But not in the tombs of the kings: Jehoram was not buried with the other kings in the royal cemetery. This was a sign of dishonor and showed that he was not a good ruler.

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 .