He said to them: The pronoun He may be better translated in some languages by the noun phrase “the king” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Bible en français courant) or “Ahaziah” (Contemporary English Version, La Bible du Semeur, Parole de Vie). Since a question follows, the verb said may be better rendered “asked” or “inquired.”

What kind of man was he…?: The Hebrew word translated kind is more literally “judgment” and its use in this context seems odd. But the same word is used in a similar way in Jdg 13.12. Some commentators think that this term has to do with the “distinctive characteristics” of the person. Translators must decide whether it refers to the outward appearance (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) or the less visible, inner character of the person (Revised Standard Version and many other English versions). It is clear that the messengers at least understood the question to refer to the outward appearance by the way they responded. But this does not necessarily mean that this was the intention of the question.

Good News Translation has judged it unnecessary to repeat the words who came to meet you and told you these things since this would be implied in the context. Translators should follow whichever model seems closest to what would be done in a similar situation in their own language.

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 .