And when he was in distress refers to the time Manasseh was in captivity in Babylon. Some other ways of expressing this clause are “As Manasseh suffered” (New Century Version) and “While Manasseh was held captive there” (Contemporary English Version).

He entreated the favor of the LORD his God may be expressed more naturally as “Manasseh prayed to the LORD his God” (Parole de Vie) or “he asked the LORD God … to help him” (Contemporary English Version).

And humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers: Humbled himself means he acknowledged his wrongdoing and repented (see the comments on 2 Chr 7.14). The God of his fathers refers to the same God as the LORD his God. Good News Translation does not translate these final words, but they should be kept since they indicate that Manasseh stood in the tradition of his ancestors. New Living Translation keeps them by saying “the God of his ancestors.”

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 .