They despised his statutes, and his covenant … and the warnings …: Although the Hebrew uses only the verb rendered despised to describe the attitude of the Israelites toward God’s statutes, covenant and warnings, in some languages it will be impossible to use the same verb for all three of these nouns (so Good News Translation). Translators will have to examine their own language to determine which verbs go naturally with which nouns. Some possible verbs or verbal expressions that may fit this context are “rejected” (New International Version), “ignored,” “refused,” “disdained,” and “took lightly.”

The word statutes refers to a set of standards for living (see verse 13 and 1 Kgs 2.3), while the word covenant has to do with a relationship based on an agreement (see 1 Kgs 3.15). Statutes and covenant are used together in 1 Kgs 11.11. King James Version translates the Hebrew noun rendered warnings as “testimonies,” but the context implies something like warnings, which is the term used by almost all modern versions. This Hebrew noun frequently refers to God’s laws, legal provisions, or commands in general, but it also seems to refer to God’s covenant in some verses (see 1 Kgs 2.3, where it is rendered “testimonies”).

False idols: This wording may give the mistaken impression that there were some idols that were false and others that were thought to be true. The Hebrew text does not actually have an adjective plus a noun for idols. Rather, as in 1 Kgs 16.13, there is a single noun that is related to the word for “breath” or “vapor.” It is often used figuratively of things that are “vain,” “futile,” or “insignificant.” New American Bible speaks of “vanity” here. Others translate “worthless idols” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible) or “useless idols” (New Century Version).

Became false: The Hebrew verb here has the same root as the previous noun. It conveys the idea of becoming vain or useless. If the receptor language permits, it will be a good idea to show the relationship between these two words by using similar vocabulary in translation. But the meaning “false” should probably be avoided. Some examples are as follows:

• “worthless idols … became worthless” (Good News Translation, New International Version)

• “useless idols … became useless” (New Century Version)

• “delusion … were deluded” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh)

• “futility … became futile” (New Jerusalem Bible).

They followed the nations that were round about them; that is, they followed the example of the neighboring nations. The Hebrew text does not have the words they followed, but Revised Standard Version has added them as the sense requires. Other translations find it necessary to supply something similar; for example, Revised English Bible adds the verb “imitated.” For the whole clause here, some may prefer to say “they imitated the behavior of the nations living around them” or “they were living like their neighbors.”

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 .