So indicates a relationship of cause and effect with the previous verse. It is also possible to say “So it was that Johanan….”

Johanan the son of Kareah: This is the second time in this chapter that son of Kareah is used as an identifier of Johanan. Most languages will find this repetition unacceptable.

Commanders of the forces; that is, “army officers” (see 42.1).

The voice of the LORD: See 40.3; 42.6.

New Living Translation considerably reduces the number of words in this verse:

• So Johanan and all the army officers and all the people refused to obey the LORD’s command to stay in Judah.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .