In those days: While some commentators take this as an editorial addition, it serves as a transition expression, which may be translated “At that time” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or “During this same period” (Bible en français courant). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch reads “During the time that Jehu reigned.”

Cut off parts of Israel is more literally “make deep cuts in Israel” or “cut off from Israel.” The word parts is not found in the Hebrew. Elsewhere the Hebrew verb rendered cut off means “scrape off” (Lev 14.41). Here the idea is “trim off” (New Revised Standard Version). Some other possible renderings are “dismember” (New American Bible), “whittle … down” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “reduce the size of” (New International Version, Parole de Vie).

Hazael defeated them: It may be necessary to remind the readers that Hazael was the king of Syria even though he is mentioned frequently in chapters 8 and 9 (so Good News Translation). See also 1 Kgs 19.15 and 17. The pronoun them refers to “the Israelites” (La Bible Pléiade).

Throughout the territory of Israel: The Hebrew word translated territory is elsewhere rendered “frontier” (2 Kgs 3.21) and “border” (1 Kgs 4.21). Some translations, therefore, say “on every border of Israel” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée; similarly Nouvelle Bible Segond, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Reina-Valera revisada), and \jmp Revised English Bible says “in every corner of their territory.” The Hebrew expression, however, may be understood to mean “within the borders of Israel” since the singular form of territory may be taken to have a collective meaning.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .