The Hebrew verb rendered Know is imperative. It is a way of saying “I want you to know” or “This shows clearly.” In some languages the imperative form of the verb does not fulfill this same function, so a conjugated form of the verb will be required. New Century Version translates “You should know.” Compare also “You can be sure” (New Living Translation).

Then renders a relatively rare demonstrative particle in Hebrew, which seems to be used here as a logical connector. In some languages it may be possible to translate it with a word like “therefore” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

There shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD …: In 1 Sam 3.19 it is said that Yahweh “let none of his [Samuel’s] words fall to the ground,” meaning that his speaking would not be in vain but that what he said would actually happen. The same meaning is involved here. Everything that the LORD had said about the family of Ahab would prove true (see 1 Kgs 21.21-22). None of his predictions would fail to happen. Other translations here are “not a single word which the LORD has spoken … shall go unfulfilled” (New American Bible) or “everything the LORD said … will come true” (New Century Version).

The house of Ahab refers to the family of Ahab. See the comments on verse 3 and 2 Kgs 8.18.

The LORD has done what he said by his servant Elijah: Translators should make certain that Elijah is seen as the agent of the LORD’s speaking (said) and not of the verb has done. Instead of said, other acceptable translations include “promised” (Revised English Bible) and “foretold” (New American Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .