The Hebrew term translated votive gifts twice in this verse contains the root meaning “holy.” This explains the translations “holy-gifts” (Revised English Bible) and “holy things” (New Century Version). Others have attempted to convey the same meaning with expressions like “dedicated offerings” (New American Bible), “sacred offerings” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “objects that had been consecrated” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). For further discussion on this term, see the comments at 1 Kgs 7.51, where it is rendered “things … dedicated.”

Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, the kings of Judah: Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah were the fourth, fifth and sixth kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. They preceded Queen Athaliah as rulers of Judah and were the immediate male predecessors of Joash. In some languages his fathers, the kings of Judah will have to be rendered by an expression like “the kings who ruled Judah before him.” But in order to show that they were related, it is probably better to translate his fathers as “his ancestors” (so New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version). Regarding the order of the names given, in some languages it will be more natural to begin with the most recent king while others will start with the most distant one. Naturalness in the receptor language should be the determining factor.

His own votive gifts, and all the gold … in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house: In addition to the consecrated objects given to God by his predecessors, Joash offered his own. Added to these was all the gold stored in the places where wealth was kept, both in the royal palace and in the Temple. The word treasuries may be rendered “the places where riches are hidden” or “the rooms where people hide things of value.” Compare 1 Kgs 7.51.

Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem: These words do not mean that only the king left the area of Jerusalem, but that his army also went with him. If this is not clearly implied in the receptor language, then translators should ensure that this is what the readers will understand by saying “Then King Hazael and his soldiers left [the area of] Jerusalem.” Compare also “So Hazael called off his attack on Jerusalem” (New Living Translation).

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 .