And the king stood in his place: Instead of in his place, the parallel text in 2 Kgs 23.3 says “by the pillar.” A number of versions change the Hebrew here to agree with the text in 2 Kings (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). The majority of modern translations of 2 Kings take “by the pillar” to refer to a special place where the king stood next to a column in the royal palace when making important official pronouncements. Standing by the royal column apparently showed others that he was speaking authoritatively. Compare “The king took his place of authority beside the pillar” (New Living Translation). The phrase in his place is probably a more general way of speaking of “by the pillar.” Similar terminology in 2 Chr 30.16 and 35.10 suggests that the Masoretic Text preserves the original text here.

And made a covenant before the LORD: For made a covenant, which is literally “cut the covenant,” see the comments on 1 Chr 11.3. In this clause the word for covenant is preceded by the definite article in Hebrew. Since this is not the first time such an agreement was made between Yahweh and his people, it is preferable to translate “renewed the covenant” (New International Version) or “bound himself by the covenant” (New Jerusalem Bible). Before the LORD is a literal rendering that usually means “in the presence of the LORD,” but in this case the agreement was actually made “with the LORD” (Good News Translation).

To walk after the LORD: For the use of the verb walk in the sense of “behave” or “live,” see the comments on 2 Chr 6.14. Here the verb seems to have the more precise meaning of “obey” (Good News Translation).

And to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes: The synonyms commandments, testimonies, and statutes are problematic for some languages. These same three terms are used together in 1 Chr 29.19 (see the comments there). It may be possible to find a different noun in the receptor language for each of the Hebrew nouns here, but it is not necessary to do so since a clear distinction does not seem intended. Good News Translation says simply “laws and commands.”

With all his heart and all his soul: See the comments on 2 Chr 15.12. In the Old Testament the heart is the center of one’s desires and intentions. The Hebrew noun translated soul refers to the self, the entire person. The whole expression here is very common in the book of Deuteronomy and is also found in Joshua (22.5; 23.14) and 1 Kings (2.4; 8.48). It is a way of speaking of a complete and unswerving devotion to accomplish a particular task. If a literal translation does not convey this meaning, translators may wish to use an adverbial expression such as “absolutely thoroughly” or “completely faithfully.”

To perform the words of the covenant: The Hebrew verb translated perform is literally “cause to arise,” but the meaning is “establish.” Words should be understood here in the sense of the conditions or provisions of the agreement. New Jerusalem Bible translates this whole clause as “to carry out the terms of the covenant” (similarly Revised English Bible), and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “to fulfill all the terms of the covenant.”

That were written in this book may be rendered “that were in the book.”

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 .