It is not certain what the distinction is between the two items rendered “tongs” (verse 21) and snuffers (Good News Translation “lamp snuffers”). Some scholars think that both Hebrew nouns refer to tools used to extinguish the flame of a burning lamp wick. Other interpreters claim that the Hebrew noun translated “tongs” comes from the root meaning “to take away,” and that this tool was used like tongs or tweezers for removing burnt-up wicks. However, Holladay suggests that this tool was used to cut wicks. The Hebrew noun rendered snuffers may come from a root meaning “to prune,” and may refer a tool used to trim wicks. Most modern translations render these two nouns as “tongs” and “snuffers [or, lamp snuffers].” El libro del Pueblo de Dios and Peregrino render snuffers as “knives,” but this should be understood as knives used for cutting or trimming wicks. “Wick trimmers” (New International Version, Dillard) correctly expresses the meaning. See also “scissors for cutting the wicks of small night lamps” (Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje).
Basins: See the comments on 2Chr 4.8.
Dishes for incense translates a single Hebrew noun. These small dishes were in the shape of a cupped hand. In fact, the same Hebrew noun also means “palm [of a hand].” These dishes were used only to hold incense, not burn it. Revised English Bible calls them “saucers.” This is an accurate description of the form of the object, but it does not indicate the function of these dishes; and for this reason it is better to say dishes for incense. Other translations include “cups” (New American Bible), “ladles” (New Revised Standard Version), and “incense ladles” (New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible).
Firepans were used to carry live coals. Good News Translation makes the function of these pans clear by saying “pans used for carrying live coals.”
For the Hebrew expression rendered pure gold, see the comments on verse 20.
The sockets of the temple is not a translation of the Masoretic Text, which says “the entrance to the temple” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible). Revised Standard Version harmonizes this part of the verse with the parallel text in 1 Kgs 7.50, where it translates a difficult Hebrew word as sockets (that is, hinges). Although Revised Standard Version and many other translations render the Hebrew word as sockets in 1 Kgs 7.50, more recent studies in Semitic languages indicate that the Hebrew word there should be translated “front side” or “facade.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text here in 2 Chronicles. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament suggests that the author of 2 Chronicles, in order to emphasize the glory of the Temple, said that the doors were made of gold, not just overlaid with gold as Good News Translation indicates.
The inner doors to the most holy place refers to the doors of the Most Holy Place. For the most holy place, see the comments on 1 Chr 6.49 and 2 Chr 3.8. Revised English Bible says “the inner doors leading to the Most Holy Place.”
The doors of the nave of the temple refers to the doors of the Temple’s main room. For the nave, see the comments on 2 Chr 3.4. New Jerusalem Bible says “the doors of the Temple itself, that is, of the Hekal” (similarly Bible de Jérusalem), and New International Version has “the doors of the main hall.”
New Revised Standard Version renders the last half of this verse well, saying “As for the entrance of the temple: the inner doors to the most holy place and the doors of the nave of the temple were of gold.”
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 .