This verse begins with the common Hebrew conjunction, which Revised Standard Version does not translate. If it is translated, the context supports a rendering such as “Meanwhile” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) or “During this time” (Bible en français courant). Contemporary English Version begins with “But while Abijah was talking.”

Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come on them from behind is literally “Jeroboam sent around the ambush to go from behind them.” Sent an ambush is awkward in English since it is more natural to say “set an ambush.” The word ambush may be difficult to translate in some languages. It means to conceal soldiers in a place where they can make a surprise attack on enemy forces. The pronoun them refers to the army of Judah. It may be helpful to make this explicit in some languages. This sentence may be expressed as “Jeroboam had sent some of his soldiers to hide in a place where they could attack the army of Judah.” New Century Version translates “Jeroboam had sent some troops to sneak behind Judah’s army.” Revised English Bible uses military terminology, saying “Jeroboam sent a detachment of his troups to go round and lay an ambush in the rear.”

Thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them: Thus renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it introduces a conclusion. His troops is literally “they,” but it is important to clarify the referent for this pronoun. New Century Version does it by saying “Jeroboam’s soldiers.” The Israelite troops that remained in front were more specifically “the main body” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “The main army” ( NET Bible). Judah in this context clearly refers to the soldiers of Judah and may be translated “the Judahite army” ( NET Bible) or “the Judean army” (Good News Translation). The pronoun them refers to the army of Judah again.

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 .