In some languages the content of the first part of this verse may be better rendered as an indirect statement rather than as a direct quotation, following the model of Good News Translation. The text actually contains three levels of quotation that are somewhat circular. According to the original Hebrew, which is followed by Revised Standard Version, the LORD tells Isaiah to tell Hezekiah what the LORD wants Hezekiah to know. If the first part is made into indirect discourse, the translation will read much more smoothly in most languages.
Turn back: While this renders the same Hebrew word that may be translated in other contexts as “repent” (for example, 1 Kgs 8.47-48), the present setting makes it quite clear that the intended meaning is that of physical movement and may be translated “return.”
The prince of my people: The Hebrew word for prince may be rendered “leader” (New American Bible, New International Version), “ruler” (Good News Translation), or “chief” (Bible en français courant, La Bible Pléiade). See the comments on this term at 1 Kgs 1.35. If the direct quotation here is transformed into indirect speech, the pronoun my may be rendered as “God’s” or “the LORD’s.” The latter rendering is probably better suited to this context.
The God of David your father: David was not literally the father of Hezekiah, but rather his ancestor. There were, in fact, about a dozen generations between David and Hezekiah.
I have seen your tears: In some languages it may be better to say “I have heard your crying” or “I have noticed that you are sad.”
Behold renders the Hebrew focusing particle. See the comments at 1 Kgs 1.18 and 2 Kgs 2.11. See also the discussion on Hebrew focusing particles in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 13-14.
On the third day: In other languages it may be more natural to say “two days from now” or “two days later.” Bible en français courant translates “from the day after tomorrow,” and this is a correct rendering since the Hebrew includes the present day as day number one. It is possible that the words on the third day are not intended literally, but rather as in Hos 6.1-2, they may simply indicate a short period of time.
You shall go up to the house of the LORD: Both the Temple and the royal palace were located on the eastern hill of Jerusalem. The Temple was located north of the palace, which was located on the lower south end of the eastern hill. So when someone went from the palace to the Temple, the person literally went “up.” The Hebrew here says that the king shall go up to the Temple. Some translations say simply “will go” (Good News Translation; similarly New Living Translation), but this information should be included in the translation unless it will cause confusion in the receptor language.
If the phrase to the house of the LORD is a part of a direct quotation where the LORD is speaking, it will be more natural in many languages to say “to my house.” But others may prefer to follow the Good News Translation model by saying “to the Temple.”
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 .