Behold serves as a transitional marker and attention-getter. Occurring numerous times in Jeremiah, its first occurrence is in 1.6. One commentator combines it with the days are coming by translating “The days are surely coming.” As in Good News Translation, the days can be expressed as “the time.” The expression, the days are coming, first occurs in 7.32 (see there for comments).

I will raise up for David a righteous Branch: Raise up can be expressed as “choose” (Good News Translation) or “appoint.” Here Branch is used symbolically of the heir to David’s throne (see 33.14-16; Zech 3.8; 6.12). Isa 11.1 uses the same figure, but with a different Hebrew word. The descendant or branch will be righteous. Most translators understand this to mean he will be a righteous person, one who acts in accordance with the will of the LORD. But some commentators suggest that the expression here has more the meaning of a “rightful” or “legitimate” heir to David’s throne. Bible en français courant has “true descendant.” Good News Translation translates it as “a righteous descendant of David.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders the first part of the verse as “ ‘The day is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘on which I will call from the descendants of David a man who will again bring honor to the name of David.’ ”

He shall reign as king and deal wisely: Good News Translation expresses this more concisely as “That king will rule wisely.” The verb deal wisely also carries the meaning of “be successful” (see 3.15, where Revised Standard Version has “understanding”).

The combination justice and righteousness is found in 4.2, where Revised Standard Version has “justice” and “uprightness” (see there for comments). To execute justice and righteousness can be “treat people justly and correctly [or, fairly]” or “do what is right and just” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .