And renders the common Hebrew conjunction, but it will be more natural in many languages to omit this overt connector, especially if translators decide to begin a new paragraph here (so Good News Translation).

Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: Consecrated translates a Hebrew verb meaning “to make holy” or “to put into a state of holiness.” It may be translated “made acceptable for worship.” Unlike the verb rendered “dedicated” in the previous verse, this verb probably implies that some sacred ritual was performed before the sacrifices were made in front of the Temple. The court is probably the Temple courtyard of the priests (see the comments on 2 Chr 4.9). Nouvelle Bible Segond translates the middle of the court simply as “the court,” but this leaves out a detail found in the text and is not recommended. Before means “to the east of,” since the Temple faced toward the east, but Good News Translation and many other versions retain the more literal rendering “in front of.”

For there he offered the burnt offering and the fat of the peace offerings: The Hebrew conjunction rendered for often indicates a causal relationship. If this is its use here (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible), then the following words indicate the reason why Solomon dedicated the middle of the priest’s courtyard. He did it because he intended to offer sacrifices there. But this Hebrew conjunction may also be taken in the temporal sense of “then” (Good News Translation). Either understanding makes sense here.

There refers to the middle of the courtyard. As in verse 1 (see the comments there), burnt offering has a collective sense here, so it is better rendered in the plural (so New Living Translation). For peace offerings, see the comments on 2Chr 7.5. Both Good News Translation and New International Version translate “fellowship offerings.” Revised English Bible speaks of “shared-offerings,” while New Revised Standard Version has “offerings of well-being.” The fat pieces of the peace offerings refers to the fatty animal parts of these fellowship offerings. These parts were not considered acceptable as food under the Mosaic Law (Lev 3.17). They included the inner organs (entrails, kidney, and liver) and the fat attached to them.

Because the bronze altar Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offering and the cereal offering and the fat: Because renders the same Hebrew conjunction translated for earlier in the verse. Here it is a logical connector that introduces why Solomon had to set up temporary altars in the courtyard. It was because the bronze altar in front of the Temple was too small for all these sacrifices. For the bronze altar, see the comments on 2 Chr 1.5; for cereal offering, see 1 Chr 21.23. Cereal offering has a collective sense here, so it may be rendered in the plural; for example, Good News Translation says “grain offerings.”

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 .