Verse 16 has parallels in wording to Josh 5.13-14, where Joshua looked up at Jericho and saw the commander of the army of the LORD. The writer may have been suggesting a parallel between David and Joshua also in 1 Chr 12.15.

And David lifted his eyes: Instead of lifted his eyes, in English it is more natural to say simply “looked up” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). This may also be the case in a number of other languages. Still others may prefer not to translate these words since they are implicit in the following verb saw (so Good News Translation).

And saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven: Angels are said to appear visibly to human beings in other passages (see, for example, Gen 19.1-22; Exo 3.2; Jdg 13.3-5). Several versions reverse the order of between earth and heaven, saying “between heaven and earth” (New International Version, New Living Translation, God’s Word). But a common language translation of the meaning here is simply “in the air” (Contemporary English Version) or “in the sky” (New Century Version).

And in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem means the angel was “ready to destroy Jerusalem” (Good News Translation, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). The Hebrew preposition translated over may also be rendered “against” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Knoppers). In this context both over and “against” express the same intention. That the sword was drawn may be left implicit in many languages since that would be clearly understood if the sword was in his hand. But the idea of its being drawn also implies that it is ready for action.

Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces: Then translates the common Hebrew conjunction, which Revised Standard Version takes as introducing the next action in time. In this context the Hebrew word for elders probably focuses more on leadership than age (see the comments on 1 Chr 11.3). Some versions say “leaders of Israel” (New Living Translation), “leaders of the people” (Good News Translation, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), “other leaders” (New Century Version), or simply “leaders” (God’s Word).

Sackcloth was a coarse cloth made of goats’ hair, which was worn as a sign of mourning or distress. Bible en français courant calls this “mourning cloth.” If the significance of the sackcloth will not be understood, its purpose may be made explicit as in New Living Translation, which renders clothed in sackcloth as “put on sackcloth to show their distress.” Compare 2 Sam 3.31 and 1 Kgs 20.31.

A literal translation of the biblical idiom fell upon their faces may sound as if this were an involuntary action. The meaning is that they “bowed low, with their faces touching the ground” (Good News Translation).

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 .