It has been noted several times already that expressions like In the twenty-seventh year refer not to the age of the king, but to the point in the king’s reign when the event described took place.

The Jeroboam referred to in this verse is Jeroboam II (so Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), the son of Jehoahaz, who ruled 783–743 B.C.

Azariah: The alternate name “Uzziah” is recommended here (so Good News Translation). See the comments on 2 Kgs 14.21.

Began to reign: This may be better translated in some languages as “was crowned king” or “became king” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

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 .