Verses 5-6 are enclosed in parentheses in Revised Standard Version. None of the more modern English versions, including New Revised Standard Version, uses parentheses at this point. But verse 6 does seem to stand outside the series of events here as a comment on what the people were regularly doing. So verse 6 may be placed in parentheses.
Therefore is a strong transition word to render the common Hebrew conjunction here. It is translated “So” in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New American Bible. Receptor language considerations may determine the strength of the transition word used here. There is a logical connection between what the LORD saw in the previous verse and his action that follows.
The LORD gave Israel a savior: The noun savior translates a Hebrew participle of the verb meaning “save” or “deliver.” The Hebrew word normally refers uniquely to Yahweh, especially in the prophets Isaiah (Isa 43.11) and Hosea (Hos 13.4), although possibly Isa 19.20 refers to a human being.
Commentators have speculated in this context about the identity of this deliverer. Some think it may have been the prophet Elisha. Others think that it must have been one of the kings of Israel, either Jehoash (see verses 17, 19, 25) or his son Jeroboam II (see 2 Kgs 14.25-27). Others think the reference is to Adad-nirari III of Assyria (811–783 B.C.), who defeated the Syrians in 802 B.C. Perhaps the reference is to the Assyrians, rather than to an individual. Repeated Assyrian military campaigns at this time against Syria had weakened Syria. There seems little doubt that a human being (or human beings) is intended here, but translators should not attempt to specify who it is in translation since the identity of this leader is unknown. Some possible models for a savior in addition to Good News Translation are “a deliverer” (New International Version, Revised English Bible), “a liberator” (La Bible du Semeur), and “a man to save them” (New Century Version).
The hand of the Syrians refers, once again, to the power of the Syrians and should be so translated in many languages. New Jerusalem Bible, however, maintains the image by speaking of “the grip of Aram.”
Dwelt in their homes as formerly is literally “lived in their tents as yesterday three days ago.” The implied information that the previous state was one of peace is made explicit in Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch. When the people of Israel were at war, the men often lived in camps near the battlefield. In times of peace they were able to rejoin their families and live in their own homes. For the rendering of “tents” as homes, see the comments at 1 Kgs 8.66. As formerly is translated “as in the past” by New Jerusalem 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 .