But the high places were not taken out of Israel: But renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it marks a contrast between Asa’s actions in the preceding verses which were favorable to the exclusive worship of Yahweh and the failure to act here with regard to the places of worship dedicated to other gods. For high places, see the comments on 1 Chr 16.39 and 2 Chr 1.3. The passive expression the high places were not taken out of Israel does not lay the blame on anyone in particular for the lack of action with regard to the pagan places of worship. So in those languages where an active expression is required, it will be better not to specify Asa as the subject of this negative statement as Good News Translation has done; for example, this clause may be rendered “no one destroyed the pagan places of worship in Israel.” The term Israel in this context could refer to the cities that had earlier belonged to the northern kingdom (verse 8). The words out of Israel are not in the parallel text of 1 Kgs 15.14, so the Chronicler apparently added them in order not to contradict the statement in 2 Chr 14.5 that Asa had removed the high places in Judah.

Nevertheless translates the Hebrew adverb that is often rendered “only.” It introduces an additional contrast, but since the conjunction but was used at the beginning of this verse, good English style requires another term here.

The heart of Asa was blameless all his days: The word heart stands for the whole person in this context. For this reason Revised English Bible translates the heart of Asa as “Asa himself.” New Living Translation, New Century Version, and God’s Word are similar by saying simply “Asa.” The Hebrew word for blameless is literally “complete” or “whole” (Jewish Publication Version). It does not indicate moral perfection, but rather wholehearted commitment to the LORD. The heart of Asa was blameless may be rendered “Asa was fully committed to the LORD” or “Asa remained faithful to the LORD” (similarly Good News Translation). All his days refers to the whole lifetime of King Asa. In some languages this phrase is better translated “all his life” (Good News Translation) or “his entire life” (God’s Word).

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 .