So: The common Hebrew conjunction here is taken as a logical connector by Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, and American Bible. Others, however, prefer the ordinary coordinating conjunction in English (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version). Naturalness in the receptor language should determine which form is used in translation.

To the Jordan; that is, to the area near the Jordan River where there was relatively dense forest. For the Jordan, see the comments on verse 2.

They cut down trees: It is unclear whether or not Elisha was included in this activity. Since the action of chopping down trees continues in the following verse, it will be more natural in certain languages to translate “they began to cut down trees” (so New International Version).

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 .