The fifth year: See verse 1.

The ninth month is December 604 B.C.

Proclaimed a fast: For fast see verse 6. Proclaimed is more accurately “observed” (since the people themselves did not actually proclaim the fast). This is the basis for Good News Translation “The fast was kept by all.” New American Bible has “a fast … was proclaimed for all,” while Contemporary English Version expresses this as an active construction, “the leaders set a day when everyone….”

Before the LORD: See verse 7. Most versions understand this as Good News Translation does with “to gain the LORD’s favor.” New American Bible renders “to placate the LORD,” while New Living Translation understands it to mean “at the Temple.”

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 .