This verse contains yet another embedded quotation that should probably be made into indirect discourse in a number of languages. Both Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version provide good models.

Make your peace with me and come out to me: Make your peace with me is literally “Make with me a benediction/blessing.” The word translated peace in this case is not shalom (see 1 Kgs 2.13). But the clear meaning of the expression as a whole is “give up” or “surrender” (Good News Translation) and may possibly mean “enter into a treaty with me.” As a sign of their surrender, the people on the inside of the city would be expected to come out to the enemy commander to confirm the treaty. After doing this, they could return to their own homes.

Every one of you will eat of his own vine … of his own fig tree … drink the water of his own cistern: The three statements here stand in contrast with “eat their own dung” and “drink their own urine” in verse 27. The expressions used here describe the normal state of affairs while the threat in verse 27 portrays a very abnormal situation.

For vine and fig tree, see the comments on 1 Kgs 4.25.

The Hebrew word translated cistern is elsewhere rendered “well” (1 Sam 19.22) or “pit” (2 Kgs 10.14). But in this context it may be translated in some languages as “drinking-water place” or something similar.

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 .