And: The common Hebrew conjunction again introduces the next Hall (or, “room”) that was built. Translators must decide whether the beginning of a new paragraph is adequate to make this transition. If not, a transition word such as “also” (New Century Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) may be used here. It should be noted that a few interpreters think that this building is the same as the building mentioned in the previous verse, that is, the Throne Room and the Hall of Pillars are the same.

The Hall of the Throne is another name for the Hall of Judgment. This large room was the place where people met officially with the king, who would normally be seated on his throne. People probably had to pass through the Hall of Pillars to enter this room. New American Bible translates the Hall of Judgment as “the tribunal.”

Where he was to pronounce judgment may be expressed as “where he judged people.” The judgment in question here was most likely that of deciding between the merits of the arguments of two people involved in a dispute over something.

It was finished with cedar from floor to rafters: Rafters translates the ancient Syriac and Latin Vulgate. The Hebrew noun for “rafters” is qoroth. Most translations follow these ancient versions, including New International Version and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, which usually follow the Masoretic Text. The Hebrew reads “floor” (qarqaʾ). Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh: “It was paneled with cedar from floor to floor.” If the Hebrew is followed, the sense may be “… from the floor of one wall to the floor of the opposite wall.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament does not discuss this textual variant. If translators choose to follow the Masoretic Text, a literal translation such as that in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh may have little meaning. It will be necessary therefore to say something like “… from the floor of one wall to the floor of the wall on the other side.”

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 .