So indicates a relationship of cause and effect with the previous verse. It is also possible to say “So it was that Johanan….”

Johanan the son of Kareah: This is the second time in this chapter that son of Kareah is used as an identifier of Johanan. Most languages will find this repetition unacceptable.

Commanders of the forces; that is, “army officers” (see 42.1).

The voice of the LORD: See 40.3; 42.6.

New Living Translation considerably reduces the number of words in this verse:

• So Johanan and all the army officers and all the people refused to obey the LORD’s command to stay in Judah.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Did not obey the voice of the LORD may simply be “did not obey the LORD.” See 3.13.

To walk in is also the equivalent of “obey.” See verse 10.

For law and statutes, see verse 10. Since it is difficult to distinguish between law, statutes, and testimonies, it is possible to combine these three, as in Good News Translation “all his commands.” But translators who do wish to retain three terms can use words such as “law, commandments, and teachings.” Testimonies can also be “advice” or “warnings.”

This evil has the sense of “this disaster” (Good News Translation, New International Version); see 1.16.

As at this day: Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “which follows you until today.” Good News Translation renders this as an adjective in “This present disaster.” It is also possible to say “which is the current situation.”

Once again it is possible to place the order of events in the sequence in which they actually took place:
(1) you sinned against the LORD by disobeying his commands;
(2) you offered sacrifices to gods;
(3) and so this disaster has struck you.

Translators should do whatever is natural in their languages. One example of how the verse may be translated is:

• You offered incense sacrifices to other gods and sinned against the LORD. You did not obey him, or behave according to the law or his commandments, or follow his advice. That is why the disaster you now experience has come about.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Her hired soldiers in her midst is somewhat redundant. It would be sufficient to say “her hired soldiers” (Good News Translation). The reference is to the soldiers mentioned in verse 9.

Fatted calves; that is, calves kept in a stall and fattened to supply meat on special occasions. Good News Translation sees here the sense of helplessness: “helpless as calves.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders “have become fat as calves,” and Bible en français courant is similar to this with “have been well taken care of.” This interpretation also makes sense in the context: “Even the hired soldiers who have been so well taken care of, the way people fatten up their calves, have all turned and fled.”

They have turned and fled … they did not stand: Good News Translation has restructured this to follow the order in which the actions happened, rendering “They did not stand and fight; all of them turned and ran.”

The day of their calamity is the same as the time of their punishment, and so it is possible to combine the two expressions: “when the LORD settles accounts and brings destruction on them.” Note that the one who brings the calamity and punishment is the LORD: “For the day has come when the LORD will bring disaster and punishment to them.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Glory is given the meaning “place of honor” by Good News Translation and “prideful height” by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch.

The parched ground translates one word in Hebrew, which some commentators believe ought to be given different vowels to give the meaning “excrement.” This is the basis for Bright “sit in filth.” Of course, whether translators have “dry dust” or “filth,” the basic call remains for Moab to come down from a place of honor to an exceedingly lowly place. In Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch a contrast is drawn between the “prideful height” and the “dust” where they are commanded to sit: “come down from your prideful height and sit in the dust!”

Inhabitant of Dibon: Dibon was a Moabite city east of the Dead Sea; the famous Moabite stone was found here. The singular form inhabitant can be understood in a collective sense for all those who live in Dibon. It is more natural in many languages to begin the verse with this expression, as Good News Translation has.

The destroyer of Moab: See verses 8, 15.

Has come up against you; that is, “has attacked you.”

Strongholds here means “fortresses” or possibly “fortified cities” (New International Version). See 1.18, where Revised Standard Version has “fortified city.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This verse promises hope to the Ammonites.

Afterward; that is, “at a later time.”

Restore the fortunes: See, for instance, 29.14; 30.3, 18; 31.23; 32.44; 33.7, 11, 26; 48.47; 49.39. An alternative interpretation of the Hebrew idiom is “bring back the captive Ammonites” (New Jerusalem Bible); see the comments on 48.47.

Says the LORD: See 1.8.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

I will set my throne in Elam: Two possible meanings of set my throne are that the LORD will establish his rule in Elam and that he will sit in judgment on the nation. See 1.15; 43.10. Translators can say either “I will set up my throne there to judge them” or “I will establish my rule there.”

Destroy their king and princes: As in other places, princes means “leaders” (see 1.18). Since this action will happen before God establishes his throne in Elam, Good News Translation reverses the order: “I will destroy their kings and leaders, and set up my throne there.” Contemporary English Version renders this as “Your king and his officials will die, and I will rule in their place.”

Says the LORD: See 1.8.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Behold: See 1.6.

I am against you, O proud one can be reversed for the sake of a more natural expression: “you are full of pride, and so I am against you.” For I am against you, see 21.13. In Hebrew O proud one and “the proud one” (verse 32) are applied as proper names to Babylonia. Several translations attempt to show this: “I am attacking you, Queen Insolence” (Moffatt); “My quarrel is with you, ‘Arrogance!’ ” (New Jerusalem Bible); and “I’m against you, ‘Sir Pride’ ” (Bright). New American Bible is similar: “31 I am against you, man of insolence … 32 Insolence stumbles and falls; there is no one to raise him up….” Another possible model is “I am against you, you who are called ‘Proud Ones.’ ”

Says the Lord GOD of hosts: See 2.19.

For your day has come, the time when I will punish you: See verse 27.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Prepare the nations for war: See verse 27. The nations are again ordered to prepare for war, and this time the Median kings and officers are cited.

For the kings of the Medes, see verse 11 and 50.3. Good News Translation finds it more natural to begin a separate sentence with “Send for the kings of Media.”

Governors and deputies: See verse 23, where the same phrase is translated “governors and commanders” by Revised Standard Version.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .