As noted in the introductory comments on this section, some modern translations begin a new section with verse 17 since the story takes a turn to a new subject. The transition After this is rather vague, but it is likely that the time period was a matter of weeks or months. The Hebrew marks this transition with a form of the verb “to be,” which is actually translated by New Jerusalem Bible in this case as “It happened.” This clearly marks a new episode in the story.

The words the mistress of the house are in apposition to the words the woman. Good News Translation does not attempt to translate these words, but they should be included. The Hebrew noun rendered mistress is the feminine form of the noun meaning “owner.” Revised English Bible says “the woman, the owner of the house.” Compare also New International Version: “the woman who owned the house.”

There was no breath left in him: Good News Translation and New Living Translation state this in simple English terms as “he died.” The Hebrew noun translated breath usually refers to the breath of life when used of human beings and is often synonymous with the Hebrew noun for “soul,” which is used in verse 21. New International Version captures the meaning while retaining something of the form by saying “finally stopped breathing.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .