The events in this verse are also recorded in 1 Kgs 15.13.

Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother: Even, which is literally “And also,” is an appropriate translation here because what is described in this verse is astonishing. Maacah was the wife of King Rehoboam (2 Chr 11.20), so she was the grandmother of Asa, not his mother. Some versions say “his grandmother” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible). The mother or grandmother of a young king sometimes acted on behalf of the king. This probably happened when Asa first became king and Maacah was his regent. Given the importance of this woman, it is surprising that Asa was able to depose her. The Hebrew verb rendered removed is translated in New Living Translation and Moffatt as “deposed,” which is a more technical word used in the context of overthrowing rulers. If the receptor language has a verb with this particular usage, it will be appropriate to use it here. It is not clear whether the Hebrew word rendered queen mother refers to an official position with specific duties or whether it was simply a title with no formal status or duties in the government. In any case, various queen mothers had considerable influence in the religious and political life of the nation of Judah.

Because she had made an abominable image for Asherah: A literal translation here in some languages will suggest that Maacah herself made the idol of Asherah. For this reason Revised English Bible says “because she had an obscene object made for the worship of Asherah.” The Hebrew noun rendered abominable image occurs only here and in 1 Kgs 15.13. This noun comes from a root that means “to shake.” Its meaning is uncertain, although it is usually thought to mean “horror” (La Bible Pléiade, Osty-Trinquet). Other translations include “obscene idol” (Good News Translation), “outrageous object” (New American Bible), and “obscenity” (New Jerusalem Bible). The exact nature of this object is unknown, but it was clearly objectionable to those who worshiped Yahweh. For the goddess Asherah, see the comments on 2 Chr 14.3.

Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron: Image renders the same Hebrew word translated abominable image. Since this image of Asherah was in the form a wooden “pole” (New International Version), it could be cut down, crushed, and burned. After Asa cut it down, he smashed it into pieces, and then burned the pieces. The brook Kidron was a valley to the east of Jerusalem between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. The word brook renders a Hebrew noun that may be translated more precisely as “wadi” (Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), that is, a valley or deep gully which is usually dry in the dry season but carries rushing water in the rainy season. Nouvelle version Segond révisée and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible say “ravine.”

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 .