Elihoreph and Ahijah … were secretaries: Regarding the name Elihoreph and the translation of it in Revised English Bible, see the comments on verse 2. The text does not indicate what the duties of the secretaries were. Possibly they were in charge of official court records and correspondence. Although the precise meaning of this term is not settled, it is certain that the office involved more than that of a modern-day secretary in the usual sense of the English word. Elihoreph and Ahijah may have been responsible for the king’s official correspondence or may have served as ambassadors. The meaning is closer to that of the cabinet level offices in the administration of the United States government, where each one is called “secretary of…,” followed by a term indicating the specific responsibility. The Hebrew verbal root on which this noun is based means “to count” or “to number.” New American Bible and Anchor Bible use the word “scribes,” but it should be noted that scribes in the time of Solomon held a very important position. They were men of great learning and were highly respected. For this reason “royal scribes” is better. Revised English Bible has “Adjutant-general,” but this modern term is unlikely to help translators in most areas of the world. Some languages may require an explanatory phrase like “the assistants to the king in charge of writing matters” or “the learned ones who wrote down things for the king.”

Recorder: The precise meanings and distinction between the Hebrew terms translated recorder and secretaries are not clear. But the rendering of the two terms should be decided together. Some interpreters understand the term translated as recorder in Revised Standard Version to mean “remembrancer” (that is, “one who remembers”), and indeed the root verb on which the noun is based means “to remember” or “to mention.” According to this understanding, the task of the person holding this office has been compared to that of the Egyptian “speaker,” who was responsible to report to the king and to communicate the king’s proclamations to his subjects. New Jerusalem Bible, Peregrino, and De Vries follow this interpretation by translating “herald.” Revised English Bible has the modern expression “Secretary of state.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, like Moffatt, translates “chancellor.”

Although the majority of English versions still use the noun “recorder” (similarly New Living Translation with “royal historian”) or a verb phrase having a similar meaning (for example, “kept the records” in Knox), translators should feel free to communicate the meaning “royal herald.” Some may say “the spokesman,” “the person in charge of direct communication with the king,” or “the one who reported to the king and made known his decisions to the people.” Since this office is different from that of a “secretary,” it is certain that the term recorder does not refer primarily to someone who kept official records for the king. These two terms, secretaries and recorder, should be translated the same way as in 2 Sam 8.16-17.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .