When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps: In this context the Hebrew word for princes is better rendered “officials” (Good News Translation, New International Version), “officers” (New Century Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “leaders” (God’s Word). See the comments on 1 Chr 19.3 and 2 Chr 12.5. Most translations follow the Hebrew in saying that the king and his officials saw the piles, but New Jerusalem Bible says that they “came to inspect the heaps,” and that may be the intended meaning in light of what is said in the next verse.

They blessed the LORD and his people Israel: In many languages it is impossible to say that human beings can bless God, and in others it is unnatural to do so. In these languages they blessed the LORD is better translated “they praised the LORD” (Good News Translation, New Century Version, Revised English Bible) or “they thanked the LORD” (New Living Translation, Bible en français courant). See the comments on 1 Chr 29.10. His people Israel here refers to the people of God in general, but the Chronicler was no doubt thinking of the people of Judah.

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 .