But Micaiah said: The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse is correctly rendered But in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation because the prophet’s response is contrary to the request of the messenger. The verb said may be translated according to the context as “replied” (New Living Translation) or “answered” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

As the LORD lives is literally “[By] the life of the LORD.” This expression is used frequently in the Old Testament. It constitutes a very strong oath or promise. Here Micaiah swears he will actually say what God tells him to say. In many languages translators will be required to add “I promise” or “I swear” to show clearly that this is a forceful oath.

What my God says, that I will speak: My God seems to express an intentional contrast between Yahweh and the god worshiped by the other prophets. This phrase may be rendered “the God whom I serve” or “the God whom I worship.” The Hebrew word order in these two clauses places emphasis on the word rendered that. Revised Standard Version preserves this emphasis in English, but Good News Translation does not. Compare Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, which also preserves this emphasis: “what my God will tell me, it is that which I will say!” Good News Translation reverses the order of these two clauses, which may be more natural in a number of languages.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .