to go or come

The Hebrew in 2 Chronicles 15:5 that is translated as “to go or come” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as “to go here and there.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (2 Chronicles 15:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 15:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “In those days, there was much fear/anxiety when (he/they) went outside or when (he/they) came because there was great turmoil in the whole land.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “There was no security to go anywhere in Israel in that time of trouble. Many people of the land had to experience suffering.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “At that time, it is dangerous to travel because the people are in chaos.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “At that time, people were not safe when they traveled, because all the people who lived in the nearby countries were experiencing many difficulties.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 15:5

In those times probably refers to the time of the judges, but see the comments on 2Chr 15.3 for other possible interpretations.

There was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in means “there was no peace for anyone” (Moffatt). Revised Standard Version has a literal translation here, but such a rendering may be confusing in some languages. The Hebrew idiom of “going out and coming in” may be taken in the sense of human activity in general, that is, from the time a person left the house in the morning until he returned in the evening (compare Deut 28.6 and Psa 121.8). Some take the idiom to refer specifically to travel, that is, from the time a person left until he arrived at his destination. The more specific sense seems to be preferable in this context. Perhaps the simplest way to express the idea here is to say “it was not safe to travel about” (New International Version), “no one could travel safely” ( NET Bible), or “it wasn’t safe to go anywhere” (Contemporary English Version).

For great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands: Great disturbances refers to a general confusion and lawlessness that made life uncertain and unsafe. According to God’s Word, there was “a lot of turmoil” (similarly New International Version). The plural expression the lands may be understood in two different ways. The way that this phrase is translated will also affect how the next verse is rendered. (1) It may refer to the various parts of the country of Israel. Moffatt says “every district.” (2) Or it may refer to other nations. Good News Translation and Revised English Bible speak of “every land,” and New Century Version says “all the nations.” If this second interpretation is followed, a more accurate rendering is “the surrounding lands” ( NET Bible) as in 2 Chr 13.9.

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 .