Some interpreters think that the form of the Hebrew text in verse 11 is poetical and may reflect its use in oral tradition. For this reason Peregrino places these words in poetic format when they are repeated in verse 14.

The word whereas is a creation of Revised Standard Version and does not reflect anything explicit in the Hebrew text. It serves here to introduce the comparison that Rehoboam is making between Solomon’s actions and his own. But it is not at all essential to the meaning of the verse.

I will add to your yoke is translated “I shall make it heavier still” by New Jerusalem Bible. In the Hebrew text the first person singular pronoun I is emphatic as an independent pronoun. It is emphatic again in the clause I will chastise you …. These pronouns give a stronger contrast in Hebrew than in Revised Standard Version between what Solomon did and what Rehoboam says that he will do.

My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions: The verb chastise is used twice. The basic meaning of the word is “admonish” or “discipline” (New Revised Standard Version) and it is sometimes used in the sense of “punish.” In the present context, however, the meaning is clearly “beat” or “whip.” Whips may have to be translated by a descriptive expression in some languages. A whip is an instrument of punishment with a handle and a flexible lash.

In several Old Testament passages, the Hebrew word rendered scorpions refers to insects that have a poisonous sting. It is possible that this word refers here to some kind of torture using poisonous insects. It is also possible that it is used here in a figurative way to say that Rehoboam’s treatment of the Israelite people will be far worse than his father’s treatment. But the parallelism with whips leads most interpreters to think that scorpions is a reference to leather whips that had metal spikes on them. Translations include “spiked lash” (New Jerusalem Bible), “whips that have sharp points” (New Century Version), “bullwhips” (Good News Translation), and “whips with pieces of sharp metal” (Contemporary English Version).

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