Then translates the common Hebrew conjunction. In this case it may be understood as a temporal transition marker introducing the next event in a sequence of events.

He stretched himself upon the child three times: The prophet Elisha later restores a boy to life in a manner similar to that by which Elijah restores this boy to life (see 2 Kgs 4.34-35). Instead of the translation he stretched himself upon, Revised English Bible follows the Septuagint by saying “he breathed deeply on.”

Child renders the Hebrew noun yeled. See the comments on 1 Kgs 14.3.

Cried to the LORD is literally “he cried to the LORD and he said.” As in the previous verse, the meaning is “called out in prayer.”

Let this child’s soul come into him again: The Hebrew text here contains the particle of entreaty, which is not translated by either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation. A more literal rendering is “please let come again…” (see verse 11). Regarding the Hebrew noun rendered soul, see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.29. Here it has the sense of “life” (Good News Translation) or “breath” (see verse 17). Into him is literally “into his inward part [of the body].” The overall meaning of this whole clause may be expressed in a variety of ways. Some possible models are “let the life breath return to the body of this child” (New American Bible), “bring this boy back to life” (Contemporary English Version), and “let this boy live again” (New Century Version).

Instead of the direct quotation at the end of this verse, some languages may prefer to translate it as indirect discourse. Two possible models for doing this are the following: “begged the LORD his God in prayer to bring the child back to life” and “prayed to the LORD his God to restore life to the child.”

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 .