complete verse (2 Kings 10:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 10:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “So/Therefore, Jehu killed everyone who was still in Jezreel who was from the house of Ahab. He killed all his prominent people, all his friends and priests/people of sacrifices. Not a single person remained who might become an heir in the house of Ahab.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that Jehu, killed all the other descendants of Ahab living in Jezreel, his officials, the friends he would meet, and his priests (term for puja priests). Not one of them survived.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Jehu killed all the blood-relatives of Ahab in Jezreel, including his officers, friends, and his priests. No one at-all was-left alive among them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Jehu executed all the other relatives of Ahab in Jezreel, and all Ahab’s officers, and close friends, and his priests. He did not allow any of them to remain alive.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 10:11

So: The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse is taken as a logical connector in Revised Standard Version, but Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible have the temporal connector “Then.” New American Bible is similar with “Thereupon.”

Slew translates the same Hebrew verb that is rendered “struck down” in verse 9. See the comments there.

All that remained of the house of Ahab refers to all the members of the family of Ahab who were still living [in Jezreel] at the time. Peregrino says “those of the dynasty of Ahab that remained.”

His great men are the great men of Ahab. This refers to all the people who had held prominent positions in the court of Ahab. In modern translations they are referred to as “his notables” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “his leaders” (New Revised Standard Version), or “his powerful supporters” (New American Bible). “Ahab’s nobles” in Revised English Bible is based on a slight correction of the Hebrew, but the meaning remains basically the same. Other interpreters, however, suggest a different change so that the text reads “his kinsmen” in agreement with one version of the ancient Greek (so Gray), but few accept this change.

His familiar friends refers to the friends of Ahab. Most modern versions translate “close friends” (so Good News Translation). New Living Translation says “personal friends.” The root of the Hebrew word used here is the verb “to know.” So this refers to the people who knew Ahab well and were known by him.

His priests: While the ordinary Hebrew word for priests is used here, this refers almost certainly to the priests of Baal who aided Ahab in his worship of the enemy of Yahweh.

Until he left him none remaining: While this clause may be seen as redundant, the repetition is intentional in order to emphasize the thoroughness with which Jehu obliterated the family and associates of Ahab. Some languages may prefer a separate sentence to the effect that “Jehu did not leave a single one of these people alive.” Or if the passive form is not a problem, the model of International Children’s Bible may be helpful: “No one was left alive who had helped Ahab.” Hosea later prophesied the death of King Jeroboam II, a descendant of Jehu, because of these murders that Jehu committed (Hos 1.4).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 10:11

10:11a So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel

So Jehu killed all those in Jezreel

-or-

So Jehu slaughtered all the people in Jezreel

10:11b who remained of the house of Ahab,

who were left from the family of Ahab.

-or-

who were descended from Ahab.

10:11c as well as all his great men and close friends and priests,

He also killed all Ahab’s chief officials, his personal friends, and his priests.

-or-

In addition he killed all Ahab’s top/head men/assistants and his good friends and those who offered sacrifices ⌊to Baal⌋ for him.

10:11d leaving him without a single survivor.

Not one of his ⌊men⌋ was left alive.

-or-

He did not let any of Ahab’s ⌊people/family⌋ live.

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