2After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.
“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep.’ In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)
In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)
Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Samaria” in English means “a watch mountain,” “a place of watching,” “guardianship.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ahab” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” + “jealous” referring to the story in 1 Kings 21. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 18:2:
Kupsabiny: “After a few years had passed, he visited Ahab in Samaria. Then, Ahab slaughtered for him and his people many sheep. And then Ahab begged Jehoshaphat to assist him so both could go and fight against the city of Ramoth-gilead.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Some years later Jehoshaphat went to Samaira to meet with Ahab. Ahab killed many sheep [and] oxen for Jehoshaphat and the people who came with him. Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth-gilead.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “After some years, Jehoshafat visited Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to have feast for Jehoshafat and his men. Then he invited Jehoshafat to attack Ramot Gilead.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Several years later, he went down from Jerusalem to Samaria to visit Ahab. Ahab welcomed him and the people who had come with him by slaughtering many sheep and cattle for a feast.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria: After some years (literally “at the end of years”) is less precise than the parallel account in 1 Kgs 22.2, which states that Jehoshaphat visited Ahab in the third year that followed the peace between Syria and Israel. For languages that must choose between verb forms that indicate many years or a few years, the parallel with 1 Kgs 22.2 suggests that this happened only a few years later, but there is no legitimate reason to harmonize the two accounts on this point by being more precise here than the Hebrew text is. The pronoun he refers to Jehoshaphat, which Good News Translation makes explicit for clarity. The downward movement (went down) from Jerusalem to Samaria is only incidental to the story and may be omitted (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version). Samaria here refers not to the region but more specifically to the city, as Good News Translation makes explicit. Contemporary English Version goes a step further by saying “capital city of Samaria” since it was the capital of Israel.
And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him: It is not likely that Ahab himself killed the large number of animals for Jehoshaphat and those with him. Good News Translation shows that other people did this for Ahab by saying that “Ahab had a large number of sheep and cattle slaughtered.” The Masoretic Text does not state why the animals were killed, but Good News Translation is probably correct in making it clear that the animals were not offered as sacrifices but rather were eaten at a “feast.” In this context the Hebrew word for oxen is probably better translated “cattle” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Century Version, An American Translation; see the comments on 1 Chr 12.40). The pronoun him refers to Jehoshaphat, which Good News Translation makes explicit.
And induced him: The Hebrew verb rendered induced is the same one translated “incite” in 1 Chr 21.1, where it has a negative connotation of leading someone to do wrong. Such a negative connotation does not seem to be present here. Induced him may be rendered “persuaded him” (New American Bible) or “urged him” (Dillard). Anchor Bible expresses the same idea by stating that the purpose of the feast was “to elicit his support.” Good News Translation makes it explicit again that the pronoun him refers to Jehoshaphat.
To go up against Ramoth-gilead: To go up against may be rendered “to join in an attack” (Moffatt). The idea of upward movement is not essential and may be dropped in translation. Ramoth was a city in the territory of Gilead. This city was located on an important trade route about 48 kilometers (30 miles) east of the Jordan River. The city of Ramoth is sometimes called “Ramoth in Gilead” (see the comments on 1 Chr 6.80). As written in Revised Standard Version, the proper name Ramoth-gilead might be confusing to the reader. The two names should not be written as one word. It will probably be wise to use classifier terms with both names by saying “the town of Ramoth in the region of Gilead.” The parallel text of 1 Kgs 22.3 makes it clear that the Syrians had captured Ramoth from Israel.
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 .
18:2a And some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria,
After some years, Jehoshaphat went to Samaria to see Ahab. -or-
Several years later, King Jehoshaphat traveled to the town of Samaria to visit King Ahab.
18:2b where Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him,
Ahab killed sheep and cows in abundance to receive Jehoshaphat and the men who came with him. -or-
In order to receive King Jehoshaphat, King Ahab prepared a feast for him and the people who came with him. He killed many sheep and many cows ⌊for the feast⌋.
18:2c and urged him to march up to Ramoth-gilead.
He told Jehoshaphat that he should attack the town of Ramoth-gilead. -or-
⌊While they were feasting,⌋ King Ahab urged him to attack the town of Ramoth-gilead.
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