As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David: The Hebrew leaves unstated the implied information that Ornan recognized David, but this may be made explicit. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which says that he “In that moment David was arriving. Ornan saw him and recognized him.” Since Ornan bowed down before David, Good News Translation refers to David as “King David,” even though the Hebrew omits his title here. Bible en français courant says “the king,” without stating his name.

And went forth from the threshing floor; that is, Araunah went in the direction of King David. Some other possible renderings for this clause are “he went out from the threshing floor” (New Revised Standard Version), “he came off the threshing floor” (American Bible; similarly New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “he left the threshing floor” (New International Version, New Century Version).

And did obeisance to David with his face to the ground: The Hebrew verb rendered did obeisance may also be translated “prostrated himself” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), or “bowed low” (Good News Translation). With his face to the ground is a common Hebrew idiom indicating how a person shows respect and submission to another person. Face is literally “nose” (La Bible Pléiade).

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 .