And behold …: The Hebrew particle translated behold focuses the attention of the listeners on the final statement about the hierarchy involved in the decision-making process and the final exhortation at the end of the verse.

Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters: In the Hebrew text the longer forms of the names Amariah and Zebadiah are used here, which are “Amaryahu” and “Zebadyahu” (so La Bible Pléiade, Osty-Trinquet), but nearly all versions use the shorter forms.

The Hebrew phrase rendered the chief priest (literally “the head priest”) occurs several other times in 2 Chronicles (24.11; 26.20; 31.10). This priest was the leader of the other priests. Good News Translation says “the High Priest,” and New Century Version has “the leading priest.” In 2 Chr 34.9 the Hebrew expression translated “the high priest” is literally “the great priest,” but the meaning is the same as the chief priest here.

Is over you may be rendered “is your supervisor,” “has the final say” (similarly Contemporary English Version), or “is ultimately responsible.” This expression is also implied in the next clause that speaks of Zebadiah. If necessary, it may be repeated explicitly.

All matters of the LORD refers to religious matters, while all the king’s matters refers to civil matters (so Good News Translation, Moffatt, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). This distinction is found also in 1 Chr 26.30, 32 and Ezra 7.26. These two expressions may be rendered “all the affairs concerning God” and “all the affairs concerning the king.”

The governor of the house of Judah may be translated “the leader of the tribe of Judah” (New International Version, God’s Word; similarly New Living Translation, New Century Version, La Bible du Semeur) or simply “the leader of Judah.” The word house means “tribe” in this context.

And the Levites will serve you as officers is literally “and as officers the Levites before you.” The Hebrew noun translated officers may originally have meant “scribe” or “record keeper” (see the comments on 1 Chr 23.4). Therefore some versions say the Levites were “secretaries” (Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “scribes” (La Bible Pléiade). But the Hebrew noun is often used with no description of the duties involved, so a more general expression is recommended, such as “officials” (New American Bible), “officers of the court” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “administrators.”

Deal courageously (literally “Be strong and act”) is an exhortation to the newly appointed judges. This command is more accurately translated “Be strong and resolute” (Revised English Bible, Dillard) or “Act firmly” (New American Bible).

And may the LORD be with the upright!: Jehoshaphat concludes by expressing his deep desire that Yahweh would be present in the lives of righteous people. The upright is literally “the good” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Dillard), that is, “those who do well” (New International Version) or “those who do what is right” (New Living Translation, New Century Version).

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 .