complete verse (2 Kings 21:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 21:26:

  • Kupsabiny: “Amon was buried in the garden of Uzza. Then, Josiah ruled.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He was buried in his tomb in Uzzah’s garden. After him his son, Josiah became king.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Amon was-buried in his burial-place there at the garden called Uza. And his child/(son) Josia was the one-who-succeeded him as king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Amon was also buried in the tomb in the garden that Uzza had made. Then Amon’s son Josiah became the king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 21:26

In certain languages the passive expression he was buried will have to be made active. There is, in fact, some textual evidence for “they buried him” (American Bible).

In his tomb: New Jerusalem Bible has “in his father’s tomb,” following one version of the ancient Greek translation. But few other versions adopt this reading and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends the reading of the Masoretic Text, which is followed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, and gives it a {B} degree of certainty. For tomb see the comments on 2 Kgs 9.28.

The garden of Uzza: Compare verse 18, where it says that Amon’s father Manasseh was also buried in this place rather than in the more usual City of David. It is possible that later rulers were buried elsewhere simply because there was no more space available in the City of David.

Josiah: The Hebrew form of this name here is “Joshiyahu,” but nearly all English translations use the more common form Josiah.

Reigned in his stead: See the comments on 1 Kgs 11.43.

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 .