When they rose early in the morning: It should be made clear to all readers that the subject pronoun they refers to the soldiers of Moab. Good News Translation leaves implicit the fact that the Moabite army got up early.

Opposite them; that is, in front of them or in the direction in which they were looking. New Century Version has “across from them.”

As red as blood: It is possible that a miracle is intended. It is also possible that this was an illusion seen by the Moabites, which resulted from their observing the rising sun reflected from the red sandstone in the area on the water left by the flash floods. The redness made them think that it was blood. The Hebrew text contains a play on words that will not be possible to translate in most languages. The Hebrew name Edom (ʾedom) has the same consonants as the Hebrew word for red (ʾadom).

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 .

As in verse 16, the woman continues to show great respect for the prophet by addressing him as my lord in spite of her disappointment. But this indirect reference while speaking directly to the prophet will be quite unnatural in many languages. New Living Translation says “you, my lord.”

Did I ask … Did I not say…?: Both questions in this verse are rhetorical in nature with answers that are well understood by both parties. They may be more naturally rendered in some languages as strong affirmative statements as follows: “I did not ask you to give me a son. I begged you not to deceive me.” The woman is referring to her conversation with the prophet in verse 16. Like Revised Standard Version, Parole de Vie translates the last part of this verse using a quotation within a quotation: “I even said to you: ‘Don’t give me a false hope.’ ” In other languages it will be better to have one level of quotation here as in Good News Translation.

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 .

Then: Since this verse begins a conclusion to this part of the story, Contemporary English Version translates the common Hebrew conjunction here with the transition word “Finally.”

If not: More of what is implied in these words may have to be provided in translation. One possible model would be the following: “If you will not accept the gift[s] I am offering you.”

I pray you: This renders the same Hebrew particle that is translated “now” in verses 8 and 15. See the discussion under those verses. New Revised Standard Version and Contemporary English Version provide a more modern rendering, saying “please.”

Let there be given to your servant …: This very awkward clause in English reflects an equally awkward construction in the original text and contains problems related to both form and meaning. First, there is the passive form let there be given. Second, there is the use of the indirect reference, your servant, showing courtesy and respect. The passive form may be easily transformed into a request using an active construction. And the indirect reference may be made direct, using the first person singular pronoun “me.” The resulting translation would then be something like “give me….” It will be noted that the indirect reference, your servant, is used a second time later in this verse. The personal pronoun should probably be used in that case as well.

Two mules’ burden of earth: New Jerusalem Bible rightly translates “as much earth as two mules may carry.” The reader will almost certainly wonder why Naaman makes such an odd request. Naaman’s request assumes that the God of Israel can be worshiped only in the land of Israel. In those translations where footnotes are used, it will be possible to explain the situation in some detail. The following footnote is a possible model: “The soil of the land of Israel was considered holy and Naaman proposed to erect an altar to God on it in his hometown. He expressly asked permission from the prophet so that there be no suggestion of theft or dishonesty involved in his project. This request is in contrast with his earlier attitude regarding the waters of Israel [verse 12].” But in cases where translators are not using footnotes, it will be legitimate to include in translation a statement about the purpose of the earth that would be transported to Syria; for example, “as much earth as two mules can carry so that I may build an altar on it and worship on ground from Israel.” Although this is implied in the request, it requires considerable explanation. So the use of a footnote is preferable.

Henceforth your servant will not offer … to any god but the LORD: This construction is somewhat awkward and may be difficult to imitate in other languages. The indirect reference, your servant, should be replaced by a first person singular pronoun in most cases. The strong negative statement (henceforth your servant will not offer … to any god) followed by the exception clause (but the LORD) may be replaced by a positive statement, such as “from now on I will offer burnt offerings and sacrifices only to the LORD.”

Regarding the Hebrew noun translated burnt offering, see the comments on 1 Kgs 3.4 and 2 Kgs 3.27. The Hebrew noun translated sacrifice refers to a sacrifice of slaughtered sheep, goats or cattle to create communion between God and the people offering the sacrifice and between the people themselves. Some translations use the expression “peace offering” or “communion sacrifice” (Bible en français courant) since this Hebrew noun often refers to this specific kind of offering.

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 .

So: The common Hebrew conjunction here may be rendered by a logical connector (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). As a result of what the prophet had ordered, the king of Israel acted.

He prepared for them a great feast … he sent them away …: The pronoun he refers to the king of Israel and in certain languages it will be important to make this reference explicit as Good News Translation has done. Otherwise, the pronoun may be understood as referring to the prophet.

The actions of the king follow the basic outline of Elisha’s command in the previous verse, but he exceeds the prophet’s requirements in ordering the preparation of a great feast. Translators should ensure that they do not give the impression that the king himself did the cooking. He simply saw to it that this work was done.

And the Syrians came no more on raids into the land of Israel: This final sentence in the verse is a kind of conclusion to this story. It is introduced by the common conjunction in Hebrew, but as a concluding statement a different kind of introduction may be required in many languages. Good News Translation has “From then on…,” but this seems too strong since it is immediately contradicted by the story that follows. Perhaps a better model would be “For a long time…” or “for a while…” (Knox).

The Syrians stopped raiding the land of Israel, either because they were grateful that Elisha had spared the soldiers’ lives, or more likely, because they were afraid of his power.

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 .

And while he was telling the king … behold, the woman …: Like verse 3, this verse begins with the Hebrew verbal transition marker that is sometimes rendered “And it happened.” The coincidence in this story is heightened in this verse by the fact that it is precisely while Gehazi is telling about the woman of Shunem that she appears to make her plea for the restoration of her property. The use of the particle behold is intended to highlight the element of surprise in this correlation. For behold see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.14 and 2 Kgs 2.11.

In the middle of his telling his story, Gehazi addresses the king as My lord, O king. A literal rendering of this expression may not be appropriate in other languages, so translators should look for their own equivalent. See 1 Kgs 20.4 and 2 Kgs 6.12.

Here is the woman, and here is her son …: Both the woman and her son are presented to the king. The fact that there is no mention of the woman’s husband reinforces the belief that he was dead, perhaps even before she left to go to Philistia.

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 .

The servants of his master: This expression should be understood as referring to the other officers with whom Jehu had been in conference when the messenger called him out of the meeting to proclaim God’s message to him in private. These are the same people referred to as “his fellows” in verse 2 and “the commanders of the army” in verse 5. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is quite clear at this point that Jehu went back “to the other officers of his master.” Bible en français courant is similar with “the other officers of the king.”

They said to him: This occurrence of the verb said may be better rendered “asked” in some languages since questions follow. The Masoretic Text has a singular verb here (“he said to him”). For this reason some translate “one of them asked him” (New International Version). In Hebrew the indefinite, unnamed subject, whether singular or plural, is expressed sometimes with the third person singular verb. Some Hebrew manuscripts and most ancient versions have a plural verb here, and this is followed by many modern translations (for example, La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle Version “They asked him”).

Is all well? is literally “Is there peace?” This question uses the common Hebrew greeting word (see the comments on 2 Kgs 4.23). The officers asking the question wanted to know if everything was as it should be. New Revised Standard Version, like Good News Translation, translates “Is everything all right?” Most translations have a similar rendering. Some commentators, however, see this as having a deeper meaning; for example, comments made by Wiseman suggest the meaning “Has he come to make an agreement with you?”

The Hebrew term rendered mad fellow does not suggest someone who is angry. Rather, it usually refers to an abnormal person who would be considered insane in certain cultures. Such terms are often applied to normal people whose actions are seen as bizarre by others. Prophets of God are often considered insane. The same term is found in 1 Sam 21.14-15; Jer 29.26 and Hos 9.7.

You know the fellow and his talk: Jehu’s response seems to indicate his unwillingness to discuss the matter since he claims that his fellow officers already know how prophets behave and the kinds of things they say. Some model translations from modern versions are “You know him and his ideas” (Revised English Bible), “You know that kind of man and his talk” (New American Bible), and “You know the sort and how they babble” (New Revised Standard Version). The Good News Translation rendering “You know what he wanted” is perhaps misleading. The sense of the Hebrew here seems to be that Jehu claims the young prophet said nothing of importance.

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 .

The Hebrew verb rendered Know is imperative. It is a way of saying “I want you to know” or “This shows clearly.” In some languages the imperative form of the verb does not fulfill this same function, so a conjugated form of the verb will be required. New Century Version translates “You should know.” Compare also “You can be sure” (New Living Translation).

Then renders a relatively rare demonstrative particle in Hebrew, which seems to be used here as a logical connector. In some languages it may be possible to translate it with a word like “therefore” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

There shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD …: In 1 Sam 3.19 it is said that Yahweh “let none of his [Samuel’s] words fall to the ground,” meaning that his speaking would not be in vain but that what he said would actually happen. The same meaning is involved here. Everything that the LORD had said about the family of Ahab would prove true (see 1 Kgs 21.21-22). None of his predictions would fail to happen. Other translations here are “not a single word which the LORD has spoken … shall go unfulfilled” (New American Bible) or “everything the LORD said … will come true” (New Century Version).

The house of Ahab refers to the family of Ahab. See the comments on verse 3 and 2 Kgs 8.18.

The LORD has done what he said by his servant Elijah: Translators should make certain that Elijah is seen as the agent of the LORD’s speaking (said) and not of the verb has done. Instead of said, other acceptable translations include “promised” (Revised English Bible) and “foretold” (New American Bible).

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 .

Spears: The traditional Hebrew text actually has the singular “spear,” referring to a weapon about two or three meters long (six to ten feet long). If the singular is translated (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), the reference may be to the sword that David took from Goliath (1 Sam 21.9). The parallel passage in 2 Chr 23.9, as well as several ancient versions of this passage, have the plural “spears.” But even if the singular is considered the correct reading, this is almost certainly to be taken in a collective sense and therefore translated by a plural. The use of the word “swords” in place of “spears” in Contemporary English Version does not seem to correspond to the Hebrew text and is not recommended.

Shields renders a rather rare Hebrew noun that is not the usual word for “shields,” but which is probably a synonym for “shields.” While the majority of modern versions translate it in this way, a number of scholars think the Hebrew noun should be rendered “quivers” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, American Bible, Hobbs). The rendering “quivers” seems to fit the context in Jer 51.11, where it is used with the verb “to fill” (rendered “Take up” in Revised Standard Version). Furthermore, one part of the Septuagint tradition translates this as “quiver” here in 2 Kings. But it should also be noted that this is not the usual Hebrew noun for “quivers” either. In certain languages the word shields may have to be translated by a descriptive phrase, such as “protecting things” or “flat things for defending the body.” Shields were often made of metal (1 Kgs 10.16-17), but sometimes of other materials such as leather or wood.

That had been King David’s: This probably does not mean that these weapons were all used personally by King David. Rather, they could have been instruments used by important leaders in his army. Or they may have been the weapons that David and his men took from the army of Hadadezer, king of the Syrian state of Zobah, and later transported to Jerusalem (2 Sam 8.7). In either case they may have been considered symbolic of the authenticity of the succession of Joash to the throne of David. The text does not make it clear whether these spears and shields were ceremonial armor that the young Joash was to carry or whether the guards themselves were to carry these and be prepared to use them to defend Joash.

Which were in the house of the LORD: The weapons were probably stored in a special storehouse within the confines of 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 .