This royal edict read: 5 “O Israelites, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so he may return 6 to you who have been spared from the kings of Assyria. 7
31:1 When all this was over, the Israelites 8 who were in the cities of Judah went out and smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and demolished 9 all the high places and altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. 10 Then all the Israelites returned to their own homes in their cities. 11
1 tn Heb “and they caused to stand a word to cause a voice to pass through.”
2 tn The words “summoning the people” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
3 tn Heb “because not for abundance had they done as written.”
4 tn Heb “the runners.”
5 tn Heb “and according to the command of the king, saying.”
6 tn The jussive with vav conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
7 tn Heb “to the survivors who are left to you from the palm of the kings of Assyria.”
8 tn Heb “all Israel.”
9 tn Or “tore down.”
10 tn Heb “the high places and the altars from all Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and in Manasseh until finished.”
11 tn Heb “and the sons of Israel returned, each to his possession to their cities.”
12 tn Or “caused, forced.”
13 tn Heb “all his days.”