In course of time, at the end of two years … is literally “And it was in days from days and about time to come out the end of two days….” The Hebrew text actually begins with the verbal transition often translated “And it came to pass” (King James Version). Revised Standard Version and most modern versions omit this transition here. It is difficult to know how to understand the Hebrew words meaning “the end of two days.” The phrase “in days from days” (In course of time) seems to indicate a longer period of time than two days. For this reason many interpreters simply assume that “two days” here must mean “two years” (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible). If this interpretation is followed, then the two expressions, In course of time and at the end of two years, seem to be redundant. So in some languages the first expression may be dropped since the second one implies the first one (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version).

A different approach is to understand that Jehoram had the disease for a long time, but that at the end of his life, his bowels came out two days before he died. Following this interpretation, Dillard begins this verse with “It continued for some time, until two days before his demise, his bowels prolapsed because of his illness.”

For his bowels came out, see the comments on verse 15.

And he died in great agony is literally “and he died in evil diseases.” For great agony, Jewish Publication Version says “sore diseases,” and La Bible du Semeur has “atrocious sufferings.” However, this phrase may be expressed more simply as “horrible pain” (Dillard) or “severe pain” (Anchor Bible).

His people made no fire in his honor, like the fires made for his fathers: See the comments on 2 Chr 16.14. His people does not refer to Jehoram’s relatives, but rather to “His subjects” (Good News Translation). His fathers may be rendered “his ancestors” (Good News Translation).

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 .