Therefore translates the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it serves to introduce the result of the people’s sinful behavior.

The wrath of the LORD came on Judah and Jerusalem is literally “the wrath of the LORD was on Judah and Jerusalem.” This clause may be translated “the anger of the LORD struck Judah and Jerusalem” (Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “the LORD became very angry with Jerusalem and the rest of Judah” (similarly New Century Version).

He has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing: The three terms horror, astonishment, and hissing again have a cumulative effect (compare Jer 29.18). They emphasize the response of other people to the LORD’s punishment of the people of Judah. The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for horror is “trembling” or “fright.” The Hebrew word for astonishment refers to the shock felt by people at the sight of a horrible thing. The Hebrew word for hissing refers to a whistling sound made by people who wish to belittle and ridicule others. If whistling is used in this way in the receptor language, then a literal rendering will be acceptable. Otherwise it will be important to translate the meaning of “ridicule.” Unfortunately, Good News Translation omits this idea. For this whole clause Moffatt has “he has left them to be an awful example, at which men shudder and hiss,” and God’s Word says “He made them something that shocks and terrifies people and that people ridicule.”

As you can see with your own eyes may be rendered “as you well know,” “as you can so plainly see” (New Living Translation), or “as you can see for yourselves” (Moffatt). In some languages this clause will come more naturally at the beginning of the verse rather than at the end.

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 .