Gemariah: This man was apparently in sympathy with Jeremiah (see verse 25), as was his brother Ahiakim (26.24). He is, of course, not the same Gemariah mentioned in 29.3.

The secretary: This title is used of Shaphan, not Gemariah, and it is the title of a much higher position than secretary suggests in English. Good News Translation has “court secretary,” while Bright and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch each have “secretary of state.” Revised English Bible has “adjutant-general.” Shaphan had held this same office under Josiah (2Kgs 22.3). If translators believe that “secretary” would be understood to mean simply a low ranking job, then it might be helpful to say something such as “high official of the king’s court.”

The upper court; that is, “the upper compound [or, courtyard].” Translators can also have “higher courtyard.”

The New Gate: See 26.10.

Good News Translation has restructured this verse into three short sentences instead of one. Translators should likewise render it in as natural a way as possible.

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 .