When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain: The Hebrew particle rendered When is better translated “If” (King James Version, NASB, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Anchor Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Dillard) or “Suppose” (Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant). What is involved here is a hypothetical situation. New Living Translation begins with “At times I might….” Shut up the heavens is a figurative way of saying “prevent rain from falling” (compare Gen 8.2; Deut 11.7; 2 Chr 6.26). The meaning is made clear by the addition of so that there is no rain. Some other possible translation models are “hold back the rain” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) and “send a drought” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy).

Or command the locust to devour the land: This statement makes it quite clear that the author sees God as in control of nature. It is God who sends locusts to devour the land. This figure of speech may be rendered without figurative language by saying “to eat up the crops” (Good News Translation) or “to destroy the crops.” For locust see the comments on 2 Chr 6.28. The locust has a collective meaning and may be translated by a plural in many languages (so Good News Translation).

Or send pestilence among my people: For pestilence see the comments on 1 Chr 21.12 and 2 Chr 6.28.

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 .