Azariah … Johanan: See 42.1.

Insolent: The word occurs only here in Jeremiah, though it is found several times in the Psalms. Elsewhere in the Old Testament it is found in Isa 13.11 (Revised Standard Version “arrogant”); Pro 21.24 (Revised Standard Version “proud”); Mal 3.15 (Revised Standard Version “arrogant”); 4.1 (3.19 in Hebrew; Revised Standard Version “arrogant”). As is clear in the context, the word refers to defiant, disrespectful, possibly audacious, and arrogant behavior.

In Hebrew a redundant verb (literally “saying”) follows after the adjective insolent. Most translations make no note of this, though some commentators suggest a slight alteration in the word, which they take to mean either “rebellious” or “self-willed.” However, among the major versions, only An American Translation represents this meaning in the text (“defiant”). The simplest solution is apparently to assume that the verb is unnecessarily redundant, as is frequently the case in Hebrew.

Do not go to Egypt to live there: This is direct discourse in Hebrew, which Good News Translation has shifted to indirect discourse. The choice, of course, depends upon what is more natural for readers in a particular language.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .