Therefore: The common Hebrew conjunction here may be translated as a logical connector in this context. It was as a result of the priests’ failure to act that King Joash called together the priests and looked for another way to handle the problem of the Temple’s disrepair. Other modern versions use transition words like “Then” (Bible en français courant), “So” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “Accordingly” (New American Bible).

The other priests is literally “the priests,” but most translations add the word “other” since the context requires it.

Said to them: In many languages it will be more natural to use the verb “asked” (Good News Translation) since what follows is a question.

Why are you not repairing the house?: This question does not necessarily indicate that the priests were expected to do the actual repair work. But the following verses seem to suggest that the priests themselves were supposed to make the repairs. The king’s question here seems to be rhetorical, that is, he is not really asking a question but is reprimanding the priests for not repairing the Temple. La Bible published by Bayard translates this question and the quotation frame introducing it as “ ‘Why haven’t you repaired the Temple?’ he reproached them.”

Now therefore is literally “and now,” but the meaning is “Henceforth” (Revised English Bible) or “From now on” (Good News Translation). Some translators may have to say “Beginning from today” or something similar.

Take no more money: This command really means “stop holding on to the money you receive.” In order to pass the money on for the repair of the Temple, the priests would first have to “take” it.

Your acquaintances: This should be translated in the same way as in verse 5.

Hand it over …: The Hebrew verb rendered here is literally “give,” and in some languages verbs like “hand over” or “give” will require a statement about who is to receive what is given. In some cases one must say “give the money to the people who will make the repairs.”

Quite possibly, the apparent contradiction between take no more money and hand it over in this verse may be solved in a different way in some languages by saying “do not accept money from your benefactors any more, but have it donated for the repair of the House” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Or, if a different interpretation of the Hebrew word makar in verse 5 is accepted, then it may be solved by saying “take no more silver from your treasurers unless you intend to use it to repair the damage” (NET 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 .