For many languages the verb sent will require an object, for example, “sent someone,” “sent a messenger,” or “sent a message” (Good News Translation).

At Lachish: See the comments at 2 Kgs 14.19. Archaeological evidence found at both Lachish and Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, provides important details concerning Sennacherib’s capture of this fortress in Judah near the Philistine border.

Whatever you impose on me I will bear: Since the following sentence shows that these words refer to a payment of tribute, this may be translated “I will pay whatever tribute money you demand” (New Living Translation).

The direct quotation in this verse may be made indirect by saying something like the following:

• Hezekiah sent a message to Sennacherib in the city of Lachish asking for pardon. He acknowledged that he had done wrong and begged the Assyrian king to stop the invasion. He even agreed that he would pay whatever price the enemy king demanded.

Required of Hezekiah is literally “put on Hezekiah.” In some languages translators will have to say something like “informed Hezekiah that he would have to pay.” Others may use a causative verb form, saying “made Hezekiah pay” (New Century Version).

Three hundred talents of silver: Based on the equivalents given in 1 Kgs 9.14, this would be about “ten tons of silver” (Good News Translation, La Bible du Semeur) or “nine thousand kilos of silver” (Bible en français courant). Contemporary English Version, however, has “eleven tons of silver.” While this is technically more accurate, it will probably be better to round off the amount as in Good News Translation and La Bible du Semeur.

Thirty talents of gold is translated “one ton of gold” by Good News Translation and “nine hundred kilos of gold” by Bible en français courant.

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 .