Good News Translation combines the first three verses of this chapter, and Contemporary English Version joins verses 1-4 together. Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie go one step further by combining verses 1-5. All this is an indication that the structure of the Hebrew is not the natural order in some languages and may require modification of some sort in the receptor language. The key to the structural problem is that the information in verse 3 (or verses 3 and 4, according to some) is crucial to the understanding of verses 1 and 2. Therefore this information is shifted forward in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant, and Parole de Vie. In fact, Good News Translation reverses the order with the information in verse 3 placed first and that in verse 1 placed last.

As will be noted below, verse 1 seems to be a general summary of what follows, so the invitation in verse 5 should not be understood as a second sending of invitations to come to Jerusalem. For this reason versions such as Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant, and Parole de Vie express the meaning even more clearly than Good News Translation does. (See the Contemporary English Version model at the end of the discussion on 2Chr 30.5.)

Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah: The verb sent has no direct object in the Hebrew text. This verb may be translated “sent word” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Moffatt), “sent a message” (Contemporary English Version, New American Bible), or “sent messengers” (New Jerusalem Bible, La Bible du Semeur). In this context all Israel refers to the former northern kingdom.

And wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh: Ephraim and Manasseh may be rendered “the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh” (Good News Translation, Parole de Vie) or “the people living in the territories of Ephraim and West Manasseh” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

That they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem: New Living Translation says “He asked everyone to come to the Temple of the LORD at Jerusalem.”

To keep the passover to the LORD the God of Israel: The verb keep renders the Hebrew literally, but in this context it is better expressed in modern English as “celebrate” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). Other possible verbs are “observe” and “commemorate.” The passover was one of three pilgrim festivals for which the people were to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the religious feast celebrating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt in the time of Moses. It was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, the first month in the Hebrew calendar (see the comments on 1 Chr 12.15). It is described in Exo 12, and is also referred to in Num 9.1-14; Deut 16.1-8; and Josh 5.10-11. In some languages the passover is translated “the feast of deliverance [or, redemption/liberation/passing over].” To the LORD may be rendered “in honor of the LORD” (Good News Translation).

For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the passover in the second month: King Hezekiah, his officials, and all the other people in Jerusalem made the decision to celebrate the Passover one month late. For princes see the comments on 1 Chr 19.3 and 2 Chr 12.5. The second month refers to the month called Ziv in the Hebrew calendar (see the comments on 2 Chr 3.2).

For they could not keep it in its time: NET Bible says “They were unable to observe it at the regular time,” and Parole de Vie has “the feast of the Passover could not be celebrated on the normal date.” Moffatt is more specific with “they could not hold it in the first month.” Another possible model is “for they could not observe the feast at the proper time.”

Because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem: Two reasons are given to explain why the Passover could not be celebrated at the proper time. First, there were not enough priests who were ritually clean to lead the festival. Second, not enough ordinary people had come together in the city of Jerusalem where the festival was to be celebrated. For sanctified themselves, see the comments on 1 Chr 15.12.

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 .