He brought in the priests and the Levites: The Hebrew verb translated brought in is a causative form of the verb meaning “to come.” It may be rendered “convoked” (La Bible du Semeur), “called” (Contemporary English Version), or “summoned” (New Living Translation, Dillard).

And assembled them in the square on the east: It is not clear what place is meant by the square on the east, but it was east of the Temple. This phrase may refer to a place near one of the eastern gates of the city or it may refer to the east courtyard in front of the Temple, which faced east. Good News Translation follows this second understanding. The Hebrew word translated square is not to be taken literally as involving the geometric shape called a “square,” but it refers rather to the “open space” (Moffatt) to the east of the Temple. Jewish Publication Version speaks of the “broad place.” Some versions use the word “courtyard” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version), and several French translations say “plaza.”

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 .