But translates the Hebrew verbal transition marker that is sometimes rendered “And it happened.” What follows is contrary to the expectations or hopes of King Joash and his advisers. So this marker is correctly rendered But or “Nevertheless” (New American Bible) in this context.

As in the case of the reign of Jehu mentioned in verse 1, the twenty-third year of King Jehoash is not speaking of the age of the king, but of the number of years since the beginning of his rule. The twenty-third year is around 812 B.C., assuming that Joash began to reign in 835 B.C. King Joash would have been about thirty years old.

The priests had made no repairs on the house; that is, in spite of the system set up for the collection of funds (verses 4-5), “the priests had still not carried out the repairs” (Revised English Bible) or “… had done nothing to improve the Temple.” The house, of course, again refers to “the Temple” (Good News 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 .