Only a few men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves …: The Hebrew particle rendered Only has various uses, depending on the context. It may express emphasis (“surely”), restriction (“only”), or contrast (“but”). The Hebrew does not actually have words corresponding to a few in Revised Standard Version. But since Revised Standard Version takes this particle as restrictive in use, the words a few have been added. But this verse may also be understood as expressing contrast with the previous verse, that is, even though many people in the northern territories laughed and mocked the messengers, some people from those territories did in fact come to Jerusalem; for example, New International Version begins with the connector “Nevertheless,” while Revised English Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh use “However.”

New Revised Standard Version avoids the use of the term men because it may be understood as referring only to males, and the text probably has a broader sense here. Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh use the more general word “people.”

Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun all refer to tribes, as Good News Translation makes explicit. The tribe of Asher lived along the Mediterranean coast north of the tribe of Zebulun.

Humbled themselves means they recognized the authority of King Hezekiah and were willing to do as he had requested. Good News Translation says “were willing,” and Revised English Bible has “submitted.”

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 .