They took away …: The Hebrew verb translated took away is a very general term, but in this context it may be rendered “carried off” (Contemporary English Version). In Hebrew this verb comes at the end of the verse, but it is logically moved to the beginning in most versions. As noted in verse 11, the Hebrew word order places the focus on the objects that were taken away rather than on the people (they) who took them away.

While the words pots and shovels render very general terms in Hebrew, the reference here is to instruments that were used exclusively in Temple activities. These instruments are referred to in 1 Kgs 7.45 (see the comments there) and in Exo 27.3 and 38.3.

Snuffers are explained in the discussion on 1 Kgs 7.50 and 2 Kgs 12.13.

At this point in the verse Good News Translation has the phrase “the bowls used for catching blood from the sacrifices,” which is not actually in the Hebrew text here, but is in the parallel text in Jer 52.18. Translators should not harmonize this verse with the parallel verse in Jeremiah.

Dishes for incense: The Hebrew text has only the plural form of the word that is the same as the one used to refer to the palm of the hand (see the discussion on this noun at 1 Kgs 7.50). Here it refers to containers that did, in fact, contain incense for the Temple. Some other possible translations are “ladles” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “saucers” (Revised English Bible), and “cups” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). It will be best to use the same translation for this noun here that is used in 1 Kgs 7.50.

All the vessels of bronze used in the temple service is literally “all the vessels of bronze with which they ministered.” The Hebrew text contains a verb meaning “to minister” or “to serve,” but the Temple is not explicitly mentioned. Nevertheless, the meaning is clearly that all the instruments made of bronze which the priests used in performing their functions in the Temple were taken away. New Jerusalem Bible speaks of “all the bronze furnishings used in worship,” while Contemporary English Version says “the bronze things used for worship at the temple.” Since all the Temple instruments mentioned in this verse were made of bronze, these words may be better rendered “all the other bronze things used for worship at the Temple.”

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 .