Hiram’s answer to Solomon extends over verses 8 and 9.

As in verse 2, the Hebrew says only that Hiram sent to Solomon, saying. It may be necessary to add a direct object as Good News Translation has done (“the following message”). Another way of translating this clause would be to say “he sent back his answer” (Contemporary English Version) or “Hiram sent back this message to Solomon” (New Century Version). This makes it clear from the outset that Hiram’s words were in response to those of Solomon.

I am ready to do: The pronoun I is more emphatic here in Hebrew than in English. Compare Traduction œcuménique de la Bible: “Yes, I will….” In some languages the most natural equivalent will be something like “As for me, I will…” or “For my part, I shall…” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Regarding cedar, see 1 Kgs 4.33.

The botanist Zohary argues that the Hebrew word berosh rendered cypress does not refer to the cypress here since cypress trees were plentiful in Israel. In Lebanon it is more likely to refer to a fir or mountain juniper. However, a recent study suggests that berosh may be a generic word that covers cypress, fir and juniper, that is, any tall cone-bearing evergreen tree. This explains the wide variety of renderings for this term in the English versions: “pine” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), “cypress” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant footnote), “fir trees” (New American Bible), and “juniper” (Anchor Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, k The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament: Study Editionk* by Koehler, Baumgartner, and Stamm [HALOT]). For cedar and cypress, we suggest “cedar and other types of valuable trees.”

The Hebrew word translated timber occurs twice in the text, qualifying both cedar and cypress. It is a very common term referring to trees or wood. In languages that distinguish between trees that are still growing and those that have been cut down and made into lumber, it will be more appropriate in this context to speak of “lumber,” that is, trees that have been cut down.

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 .