And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them …: As in the previous verse, scholars disagree concerning the interpretation and translation of the Hebrew verbs in these two verses. Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version use the future tense, while Good News Translation has the perfect tense: “I have chosen … have settled…” (also Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous). While the majority of versions opt for the future tense, a significant minority, including mostly modern versions, prefers the perfect tense (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, Nouvelle version Segond révisée). Perhaps one consideration in deciding how the verb form should be translated will be determined by the choice of the verb itself. If the first verb is taken in the sense of actually providing a place, then the future tense is perhaps more appropriate; for example, New Jerusalem Bible says “I am going to provide a place….” However, if it is translated in the sense of deciding on a place for future implantation, then the rendering might be in the past or perfect tense; for example, Good News Translation has “I have chosen a place….”

And will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place is literally “and I will plant him, and he will dwell in his own place.” The third person singular pronouns (“him,” “he,” “his”) refer to the nation Israel. In most translations the plural is used in order to convey the correct meaning and avoid confusion.

And be disturbed no more: The Hebrew verb here indicates the action of shaking or trembling. In this context the Israelites tremble because of the anxiety caused by their oppressors. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “and shall tremble no more,” and Contemporary English Version has “They will no longer have to tremble with fear.”

And violent men shall waste them no more: The Hebrew verb rendered waste comes from a root that means “to be worn out.” New Revised Standard Version uses the verb “wear down,” but in this context better verbs are “oppress” (New Jerusalem Bible), “destroy,” “mistreat” (Bible en français courant), and “bother” (Contemporary English Version). Violent men is literally “sons of wickedness.” Since the rendering of Revised Standard Version is too limiting, this has been revised by New Revised Standard Version to say “evildoers.” Some other possible translations are “wicked people” (New International Version), “criminals” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), “evil nations” (Contemporary English Version), and “bad people” (Parole de Vie).

The connection between verses 9 and 10 may be understood in two different ways: (1) According to Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other translations, the former time when Israel’s enemies wore them down was the time when God had appointed judges over Israel. (2) But it is also possible to understand verse 10 as beginning a new time period, that is, from the time that God appointed judges he has begun to subdue the enemies of Israel.

From the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel: This clause refers to the time of the judges when the Israelites had first entered the Promised Land (see the book of Judges). Good News Translation expresses this as “Ever since they entered this land.” For judges see the comments on 1 Chr 17.6.

And I subdue all your enemies may be rendered “I will defeat all your enemies” (New Century Version).

Moreover I declare to you …: Moreover translates the common Hebrew conjunction, but several versions take it as a major break in the discourse and begin a new paragraph in the middle of verse 10. Revised English Bible does so with the conjunction “But.” New Revised Standard Version retains “Moreover” at the beginning of the new paragraph. Contemporary English Version likewise begins a new paragraph with the word “Now.” But most other versions continue the discourse without a break at this point. There is certainly nothing in the Hebrew that requires a major break here. La Bible du Semeur takes this sentence as a concluding remark by beginning with “Finally….”

Instead of Moreover I declare to you (waʾagid lak in the Masoretic Text), the Septuagint reads “and I will make you great” (waʾagadelka). The spelling of these two clauses is similar in Hebrew, but the reading in 1 Chronicles renders a form of the same verb used in 2 Sam 7.11. Translators should follow the Masoretic Text here, although some translations follow the Septuagint (so Revised English Bible, Einheitsübersetzung, Knoppers). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text.

That the LORD will build you a house: Since it is the LORD who is speaking here, it will be quite unnatural in many languages for him to refer to himself in the third person as in Hebrew and Revised Standard Version. The meaning will have to be expressed by saying something like “it is I, the LORD, who will build you a house” (Parole de Vie). The expression build you a house is probably to be understood in the sense of creating a dynasty or, more dynamically, “give you descendants” (Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). In verses 16-27 house refers to the dynasty of King David. But in light of verse 14, where God says “I will confirm him in my house,” some interpreters think that the word house here in verse 10 refers to the Temple.

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 .