See the similar statement concerning the men in charge of Temple repairs at the time of King Joash of Judah (2 Kgs 12.15).

As noted in verse 4, it is possible to understand verse 7 in two different ways: (a) as the end of the quotation beginning in verse 4 (that is, as part of Josiah’s instructions) or (b) as the author’s comment.

Most translations follow the first interpretation. New Jerusalem Bible, however, follows the second interpretation by closing Josiah’s words at the end of verse 6 and translating verse 7 as follows: “The latter were not required to render account of the money handed over to them, since they were conscientious in their work.” Compare also Moffatt: “No audit was ever taken of the money thus handed over: the men acted honestly.” This same interpretation is reflected in New American Bible and An American Translation.

But translates a Hebrew particle that may be understood either as restrictive, that is, as limiting what follows, or as indicating some kind of opposition. It may be translated “Only” or “But.”

No accounting shall be asked from them for the money: This passive expression may be made active by saying something like “no one needs to ask them for an accounting of the money” or “They do not need to report how they use the money” (New Century Version). From them refers to “the workmen who have the oversight” (verse 5).

Money translates the same Hebrew word as in verse 4. Even those translations such as Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible, which translated it as “silver” in verse 4, recognize that the sense here is “money.”

Which is delivered into their hand: See verse 5.

For they deal honestly: The transition word for shows that what follows is the explanation as to why it is unnecessary to ask for an accounting of the funds. In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of the clauses in this sentence and say something like the following (if the interpretation in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation is followed):

• But since the people responsible for the work are totally honest, it is not necessary to ask them to report on the way in which they use this money.

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 .