And next to him Jehohanan the commander, with two hundred and eighty thousand: Next to him (that is, next to Adnah) is literally “by his hand.” This phrase may be misunderstood as referring to physical position if translated literally into some languages. However, it should be taken here and in the following verses as an indication of rank. Since Adnah was the commander, Jehohanan was “Second in rank” (Good News Translation) or “Next in command” (New Living Translation).

The figure of two hundred and eighty thousand refers to the number of fighting men under Jehohanan. The reader is expected to understand “mighty men of valor” from the previous verse. For this reason Good News Translation and Bible en français courant supply the word “soldiers,” while New Living Translation adds “troops.”

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 .