And proclamation was made is literally “And they gave a proclamation.” The implied subject is most likely the Levites (see verse 6). But Contemporary English Version takes the subject to be King Joash by beginning this verse with “He then sent letters.” In languages where passive forms are unacceptable, it is probably best to use the indefinite “they” or to follow the model of New Century Version, which says “Then the Levites made an announcement.”
Throughout Judah and Jerusalem: See the comments on 2Chr 24.6.
To bring in the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness: See the comments on 2Chr 24.6. Laid upon is literally “upon.” There is no verb here in Hebrew, but the context requires a verb in English. Since it involves a tax, modern versions use verbs such as “levied” (Moffatt) and “imposed” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). It is also possible to say “required” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version). For the Hebrew word rendered wilderness, see the comments on 1 Chr 12.8.
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 .
