New Jerusalem Bible begins a new section here, including verses 41-51, and calls it “Supplementary section.” A number of interpreters think that these verses were added to the text after the return from Babylonian exile.

Verses 41-43 present a fifth situation in which someone may turn to God in prayer. In Hebrew it begins with the common conjunction followed by the adverb that denotes the addition of something. Elsewhere this adverb is sometimes translated “also.” Together these two words are rendered Likewise in Revised Standard Version.

A foreigner who is not of thy people Israel: The Hebrew word rendered foreigner is not the word that refers to foreigners living within Israel. The Hebrew noun here refers to someone (a non-Israelite) who lives in another country.

For thy name’s sake: New Revised Standard Version says simply “because of your name,” but this literal translation may be understood in different ways. It may indicate purpose and mean “to honor you” (New American Bible). Or it may indicate the basis for their coming: they come because they have heard of what a great God Yahweh is, that is, “because of your fame” (Revised English Bible).

The first part of verse 42 is a parenthetical comment, and for this reason it is placed within parentheses in some translations (Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Moffatt) and is set off by dashes in other translations (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

The reference to the great name of God is merely a way of talking about his reputation, prestige, or glory among people. Good News Translation speaks of God’s “fame,” while New Century Version refers to his “greatness.”

Mighty hand and outstretched arm are metaphorical phrases referring to God’s power (see Deut 4.34; Psa 136.12). Good News Translation eliminates the metaphors and says simply “the great things you have done for your people.” Moffatt says “thy strength and mighty force.” Compare also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente: “the great things that you have done.”

Because of the parenthetical statement at the beginning of verse 42, radical restructuring of these two verses may be required (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). The following is a possible model:

• People who are not Israelites who live in faraway lands will hear about you and your power and the great things you have done for your people. When such a person comes to worship you and to pray at this Temple….

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 .