Now therefore is literally “and now.” The strong logical connection in Revised Standard Version may not be necessary in other languages. Most English versions omit it.

Call to me may be rendered “cause to assemble in my presence.” Others may prefer the verb “summon” or “invite.”

All the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests: Instead of all his worshipers, some Hebrew manuscripts and the Septuagint read “all his servants” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “all who serve him”). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text here. Revised English Bible has “all his ministers.” The Masoretic Text has “worshipers” in verses 19-23. The consonants for the word “worshiper” in Hebrew are the same as the consonants for the word “servant,” but apparently the writer wanted to show that the worshipers of Baal were not entirely consecrated to their god as the “servants of Yahweh” (verse 23) were to Yahweh. That is, they only worshiped Baal, but the faithful Israelites were servants of Yahweh. But there doesn’t seem to be much real difference in meaning between “worshiper” and “servant.” Some languages may prefer to change the order of prophets … worshipers and … priests, placing the more general term worshipers at the beginning or at the end of the list. Naturalness in the receptor language should be the determining factor in deciding what order to adopt. In fact, one manuscript of the Septuagint, followed by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, places all his worshipers after all his priests, but Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text. In light of verses 20-21 and the fact that some Hebrew manuscripts lack the words all his worshipers, some interpreters think the words all his worshipers are not original. This is why these words are not translated in New Jerusalem Bible, but they should be kept.

Let none be missing: This merely adds emphasis to what has already been said. And further emphasis is added by threatening the lives of any who failed to appear: whoever is missing shall not live.

For I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal is literally “because great sacrifice by me to Baal.” The verb offer is supplied by Revised Standard Version because this is what is clearly implied. Another way to translate this idea is “for I want to make a great celebration with sacrifices in honor of Baal” (Bible en français courant). This clause gives the reason for the proposed assembly of Baal worshipers. In some languages it may be more natural to place this element at the beginning of the verse so that the purpose of the gathering is provided before the actual invitation is issued.

But Jehu did it with cunning …: Following the direct quotation of what Jehu said, the writer adds this editorial note explaining that Jehu’s actions were a part of a devious plan to completely destroy all the worshipers of Baal. In some languages it will be appropriate to introduce this comment with the conjunction But as in Revised Standard Version. In other cases these words may be set off with parentheses as Good News Translation and Peregrino have done, or they may be made into a separate paragraph as in earlier editions of Bible en français courant.

The Hebrew word translated cunning is not found anywhere else in the Old Testament. But it clearly involves trickery and deception. Some other renderings of the word are “trick” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible) and “ruse” (New American Bible). Revised English Bible includes this idea in the verb “outwitted.” New International Version uses the adverb “deceptively.”

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 .