If the pronoun references in this verse are unclear, it is recommended that one or more of the pronouns be translated by nouns. The subject is Evilmerodach, and he is speaking to Jehoiachin.

Spoke kindly to him is literally “spoke to him good things.” This expression implies more than mere talk. The words were followed up by benevolent actions. For this reason Revised English Bible, like Good News Translation, translates “treated him kindly.” As noted at 1 Kgs 12.7, the words “speak good words” are found in the language of ancient Near Eastern treaties. Some interpreters suggest that such a technical usage is intended here. If so, the sense will be that Evilmerodach entered into some form of legal agreement or treaty with Jehoiachin, perhaps granting him status as a vassal-king. None of the versions consulted, however, makes this interpretation explicit in translation. Instead, all use a general expression, such as spoke kindly to him (Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Gave him a seat above the seats of the kings: The plural word kings almost certainly refers to other exiled rulers who, like Jehoiachin, were now subject to the Babylonian monarch. This is why Good News Translation speaks of “other kings.” These other kings were not, however, other Jewish kings. Administrative documents discovered in Babylon also list prisoners of war from Tyre, Sidon, Gaza, Ashdod, and several other nations. For this reason Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “foreign kings.”

A seat above the seats of these other kings does not refer to actual physical elevation. Rather, the reference is to a position of greater respect. Contemporary English Version translates “honored him more than any of the other kings.”

Who were with him in Babylon: Here Babylon probably refers to the entire kingdom rather than exclusively to the capital. So translators are advised to render this “Babylonia” if the receptor language uses different nouns for the two names. Good News Translation makes explicit that these kings “were exiles with him in Babylonia.”

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 .