And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel …: Since the heart in Hebrew thought was the place of the will and thought as well as of feeling and emotion, had set their hearts may be translated “sincerely wanted” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) or “had made up their minds” (Moffatt). Seek the LORD is a common expression in 1-2 Chronicles, in the sense of being faithful to God (see the comments on 1 Chr 16.10). If the meaning is unclear in a literal rendering, it may be translated “worship the LORD” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation) or “obey the LORD” (New Century Version).

Came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem: Came after may be rendered “followed” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New Living Translation). The pronoun them refers to the priests and Levites mentioned in verse 13. Good News Translation makes this specific by saying “the Levites.” All the tribes of Israel refers to “all the northern tribes” (Bible en français courant).

To sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers: The God of their fathers refers to the God whom their ancestors worshiped. New Revised Standard Version translates “the God of their ancestors.”

Good News Translation has restructured this verse in such a way as to forefront the fact that those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD were from all the tribes of Israel. Other versions that restructure in a similar manner are Contemporary English Version, New International Version, and Revised English Bible. This technique may also be helpful in other languages.

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 .