So: this translates the common Hebrew conjunction that is more often rendered “and” but is sometimes left untranslated (New Jerusalem Bible and Contemporary English Version). But since this is a kind of summary statement, some kind of transition word may be required in the receptor language. Translators should consider what kind of transition will be most suitable in their own language in such a context.

The structure of this verse is changed in Good News Translation (and New Century Version) so that the time reference (nine months and twenty days) comes much earlier. This seems to be more natural in English and may also be an appropriate shift in other languages as well. But it may be better in some cases to make a separate sentence at the end of the verse, stating that “It had taken them nine months and twenty days to complete the counting.”

Came to Jerusalem: that is, “came back” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New Century Version) to Jerusalem, which had been their starting point before they left the presence of King David (verse 4). It will be more appropriate in many languages to use a verb like “returned,” as Good News Translation and many other English versions have done.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .