So: The common Hebrew conjunction is taken as a logical connector by Revised Standard Version, but omitted by Good News Translation. It may also be taken as a temporal connector as in certain other modern versions, which have “Then” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version). Translators should feel free to interpret it in either way and translate accordingly.

The king refers to Ahab, as Contemporary English Version makes explicit by adding his name.

Disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes: King James Version says “disguised himself with ashes on his face.” The King James Version rendering is based on reading the Hebrew consonants of the noun for bandage with different vowels. The Hebrew nouns for bandage and “dust/ashes” have the same consonants. Both the Vulgate and some parts of the Septuagint tradition read “dust.” But most modern versions take it to mean a bandage or a cloth.

The Hebrew preposition translated over may be understood to mean “in front of” (so nearly all translations here) or “higher than” (so Montgomery, who translates over his eyes as “above his eyes”).

The structure of the Hebrew and Revised Standard Version leaves the account of the bandaging to the end of the verse. But in many languages it will be more natural to begin with this description as Good News Translation has done (also Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). Translators should feel free to follow this model if it is more natural in the receptor language.

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 .