Of a truth: This renders a Hebrew adverb having to do with truth and faithfulness. The same term is translated “it is true” in Ruth 3.12, and this is a more natural way of expressing the idea here. This, in fact, is how it is translated in many modern English versions (Revised English Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). Others use the adverb “Truly” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible).

Laid waste the nations and their lands: The Hebrew verb rendered laid waste comes from a root that means “parch” or “dry up.” The same verb is used in verse 24, where it is translated “dried up.” Some modern renderings in this context are “destroyed” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “annihilated” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In certain languages two different verbs may be required for what is done to nations and lands. La Bible du Semeur, for example, translates “exterminated the other nations and ravaged their lands.”

The Hebrew word for nations here is the term normally used for Gentile or non-Israelite groups of people (see the comments on 2 Kgs 18.33). Both the people and the land on which they live will be destroyed. The ancient Greek translation, however, omits the words and their lands, but most modern versions correctly include these words. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a rating of {B} to the text that includes these words. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {C} rating to the shorter text of the ancient Greek translation, arguing that the words and their lands were added to the Hebrew text here from the parallel passage in Isa 37.18. The shorter text is followed by some modern translations (New Jerusalem Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .