Elijah took twelve stones, according … to the tribes of the sons of Jacob: The twelve stones represent the twelve tribes of Israel, as in Josh 4.5. The twelve jars of water (verses 33-34) probably have the same symbolic purpose.

To whom the word of the LORD came: It may be better to render this “to whom the LORD spoke.” See the comments on 1 Kgs 6.11 and 17.2.

Israel shall be your name: For the change of Jacob’s name to Israel, see Gen 32.28 and 35.10.

Good News Translation provides a helpful model for those languages that may not find the direct quotation at the end of this verse natural. It can be easily transformed into an indirect quotation.

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 .