And they smote all the cities round about Gerar: The pronoun they refers to the soldiers of Judah, which La Bíblia: Bíblia catalana traducció interconfessional makes explicit by saying “those of Judah.” They smote all the cities means the Judean army killed many people in these cities as well as destroying the cities themselves. Round about Gerar refers to the general geographical area of Gerar.

For the fear of the LORD was upon them: The fear of the LORD sometimes refers to “awe” rather than “fear.” But in this context it is a matter of real fear. The pronoun them may refer either to the people in the cities near Gerar or to the soldiers of Judah. The former is much more likely. Therefore the clear meaning of this clause is that the inhabitants of these cities were “terrified of the LORD” (Good News Translation). Other translations include “for the LORD had struck the people with panic” (Revised English Bible) and “for a panic from Yahweh had seized the towns” (New Jerusalem Bible). For the same idea, see Exo 23.27.

They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them: The meaning of the Hebrew noun rendered plunder is very similar to that of the Hebrew noun translated “booty” in the previous verse. The Hebrew verb rendered plundered, meaning “to take the spoils,” comes from the same root as the noun for plunder. An alternative model for this whole sentence is “These towns contained many valuable things, so Asa’s army took them all away” (similarly New Century Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This verse provides a more detailed account of the burial of Asa than does the parallel passage of 1 Kgs 15.24. The information here is not presented elsewhere.

They buried him in the tomb which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David: The referent for the pronoun They is unclear. For this reason Good News Translation renders buried as a passive verb, but in languages where this is not possible, the referent will have to be left indefinite. Tomb is literally “tombs,” but all translations use the singular according to the sense. At this time in Israelite culture, tombs were cut into rocky hillsides. There were stone shelves on which the bodies were placed until they decomposed, leaving only the bones. Then the bones were placed into a pit beneath the shelves and the tomb was reused. Hewn out for himself most likely means “cut for himself out of a rock,” but since the Hebrew verb for “to buy” has the same three consonants as the verb for “to dig,” Revised English Bible has “bought for himself.” Either interpretation makes good sense and either is possible. Since Asa almost certainly did not make the tomb himself, it is legitimate to translate “caused someone to hew out for him.” For the city of David, see the comments on 1 Chr 11.5 and 2 Chr 5.2.

They laid him on a bier: A bier was a board on which a body was carried to its place of burial. The context does not favor such a translation here. The Hebrew word translated bier is the same word that is elsewhere rendered “bed” (see, for example, 1 Kgs 1.47) and means simply a place to stretch out. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “resting-place,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “burial chamber.” In this context of death and burial, the term clearly refers to the final resting place of Asa’s corpse. Almost certainly, the reference here is to a rock shelf in the tomb.

Which had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer’s art is literally “which was filled with spices and different kinds [of aromatic oils] prepared by the perfumer’s work.” The Hebrew here says that spices and aromatic oils were placed in the tomb. Good News Translation seems to suggest, incorrectly, that the body was embalmed. Contemporary English Version is better with “the tomb was filled with spices and sweet-smelling oils.” For spices see the comments on 1 Chr 9.29.

And they made a very great fire in his honor: It may be helpful in many languages to render a very great fire as “a very great funeral pyre” (New American Bible) or “a very great funeral fire” (New Jerusalem Bible). But it will be important for translators to ensure that there is no hint of the cremation of the king’s body. Such a practice was unknown to the people of Israel. However, it was common to have large fires, including the burning of incense, to mourn the loss of a king (see 2 Chr 21.19 and Jer 34.5). In his honor may be rendered “to mourn his loss” or “to honor him past his death.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And when he had come to the king, the king said to him: The pronouns he and him refer to Micaiah, which New Century Version makes explicit. The king here and in the next verse refers to Ahab and not to Jehoshaphat. If there is any doubt about this, it may be necessary to replace the king with “Ahab” (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version) or “King Ahab” (Good News Translation).

Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?: This question is the same one that Ahab asked the other prophets in verse 5 (see the comments there). Here the question is directed specifically to Micaiah. Since Micaiah would not be expected to participate in the battle, the pronoun we should be translated as exclusive in those languages that distinguish between first person plural inclusive and exclusive pronouns.

And he answered is literally “And he said.” Revised Standard Version correctly renders the Hebrew verb for “said” as answered to introduce the response of Micaiah (compare verse 5).

Go up and triumph: The Hebrew verbs translated Go up and triumph are plural. For Go up, see the comments on verses 5 and 11.

They will be given into your hand: See the comments on 2Chr 18.5. The pronoun they refers to the Syrians who had captured Ramoth from Israel. Some languages may prefer to render this pronoun as “your enemies” or “the Syrians” for clarity. The Hebrew pronoun for your is plural. If it is necessary to avoid the passive verb will be given, this clause may be rendered “the LORD will give you victory over the Syrians.”

In those languages where direct discourse is uncommon, the two quotations in this verse may be translated as indirect speech by saying:

• When Micaiah came to King Ahab, the king asked him whether or not he and Jehoshaphat should attack Ramoth in Gilead. And Micaiah told him that they should go ahead and attack, because the LORD would give them victory.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Then Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD: Jehoshaphat was alarmed by the news that the enemies of Judah had already taken a part of his kingdom, so he turned to God in prayer. In some languages the verb feared requires an object. So it will be necessary either to use a different verb, or to add an object indicating what the king was afraid of. New Living Translation provides a possible solution by rendering Jehoshaphat feared as “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news.”

Set himself to seek the LORD is literally “set his face to seek Yahweh.” See the comments on a similar expression at 2 Chr 11.16. In some languages set himself may be rendered “turned his attention” (NASB), “decided” (New Century Version, God’s Word, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “resolved” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, Moffatt). In this context to seek the LORD means “to ask the LORD what to do” (New Century Version).

And proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah: For the idea of a fast, see the comments on 1 Chr 10.12. In this context Judah refers to “the kingdom of Judah” (Bible en français courant). This whole clause may be rendered “He then told the people of Judah to go without eating to show their sorrow” (Contemporary English Version) or “He announced that no one in Judah should eat during this special time of prayer to God” (New Century Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish: New Century Version renders He joined him as “Jehoshaphat agreed with Ahaziah,” so that the referents for the pronouns He and him are clear. Another possible model is “They joined together.” Of course, the two kings did not do the actual work of ship construction, but they were responsible for their workers doing so. Ships to go to Tarshish is probably better understood as referring to ships that were capable of going great distances such as to Tarshish (see the comments on 2 Chr 9.21). This phrase may be translated “several seagoing ships” (Contemporary English Version), “a fleet of trading ships” (New International Version), or “large seagoing merchant ships” ( NET Bible). New Living Translation translates this whole clause as “Together they built a fleet of trading ships.”

And they built the ships in Ezion-geber: For Ezion-geber see the comments on 2 Chr 8.17. Good News Translation supplies the implied information that this was a port. Good News Translation also combines this clause with the previous one, which may be a helpful model for other languages.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And they went about through Judah: The pronoun they refers to the five military officers with whom Jehoiada had made an agreement. Contemporary English Version makes this explicit by saying “These five men.” Moffatt says “he and they” in order to keep the focus on the priest Jehoiada, but it is unlikely that Jehoiada himself traveled with them. They went about through Judah means the five officers went throughout the whole kingdom of Judah. New Living Translation makes explicit what is probably implied in the story, namely that this was done “secretly.” They did it without the knowledge of the authorities in power at the time.

And gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem: The five officers summoned the Levites and clan leaders throughout Judah and they went to Jerusalem. Good News Translation combines the verbs gathered and came by saying “brought back,” which other languages may find helpful. In languages where the word cities refers exclusively to great metropolitan areas with very large populations, it is better to say “towns” (Contemporary English Version). The heads of fathers’ houses of Israel refers to the leaders of the families and clans of Judah (see the comments on 1 Chr 5.24). This is another context where the word Israel is used for the southern kingdom of Judah.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada: After the workers repaired the Temple, they brought the remaining money to King Joash and Jehoiada. The money was “gold and silver” (Good News Translation).

And with it were made utensils for the house of the LORD: Most likely the Temple utensils were made from the gold and silver; the gold and silver were not used to pay for having these items made. The implied agent of the passive verb were made (literally “he made”) is some unknown craftsmen. So in languages were passive verbs are not possible, this verb may be translated “some craftsmen made” or “they made.” New American Bible provides a good model for this clause and the previous one, saying “they brought the rest of the money to the king and to Jehoiada, who had it made into utensils for the LORD’s temple” (similarly Good News Translation).

Both for the service and for the burnt offerings: The Hebrew word for service is found elsewhere only in Num 4.12, but a related verb occurs frequently. Here the service is more specifically the ritual service in the Temple. For burnt offerings, see the comments on 1 Chr 16.1. Good News Translation omits this information, but it should be included in translation.

For the Hebrew word rendered dishes for incense, see the comments on 2 Chr 4.22.

And vessels of gold and silver may be rendered “and other gold and silver objects” (Contemporary English Version).

The following translation may serve as a model for expressing the meaning of verse 14a:

• When the workers finished the job, they brought the money that they had not used to King Joash and Jehoiada. Then they used that money to make utensils for the Temple of the LORD, utensils for the service in the Temple and for the burnt offerings, and incense bowls, and other gold and silver articles.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And Judah was defeated by Israel: This passive clause may be readily transformed into an active statement by saying “Israel defeated Judah” (New Century Version) or “The army of Israel was victorious over the army of Judah.”

And every man fled to his home: Every man refers to “all the Judean soldiers” (Bible en français courant). Home is literally “tents.” But by this time in the history of Israel people did not normally live in tents. The Hebrew expression remained in use long after people began living in houses (see, for example, 1 Sam 4.10; 13.2; 1 Kgs 8.66; 12.16).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .