⁴ tn Or “among the apostles.” See discussion in the note on “well known” for these options.

¹ tn Heb “in your name.” Another option is to translate: “as your representatives.”

¹ tn Another option is to translate the imperfect as a prayer/request (“may you bless”).

¹ tn Heb “they spoke before the king.” Another option is to translate, “they argued before the king.”

¹ tn Heb “are.” Another option is to translate, “There will be seven years of famine.”

³ tn Another option is to translate the imperfect verbal form as future, “he will not be shaken” (cf. NRSV “he shall not be moved”). Even if one chooses this option, the future tense must be understood in a generalizing sense.

⁴ tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text, showing which of the options is assumed.

² tc See the note on “Gerasenes” in v. 26 for the same geographical options for the textual variants.

² tn Heb “bitter.” Other translation options for this word in this context include “fierce” (NASB, NRSV); “savage” (NEB); or “grim.”

³ tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”

¹ tn Or “in the land” (NIV, NCV, NRSV). The same phrase occurs again later in this verse, with the same options.

¹ tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive of prayer. Another option is to translate, “the wicked will fall.”

¹ tn Other translation options for כִּי (ki) in this context are “when” (so NASB) or “though” (so NEB, NIV, NRSV).

¹ sn The identity of this unnamed “deliverer” is debated. For options see M. Cogan and H. Tadmor, II Kings (AB), 143.

² tn Heb “by stairs they went up.” The word translated “stairs” occurs only here. Other options are “trapdoors” or “ladders.”

¹ tn The translation assumes that כִּי (ki) is emphatic. Another option is to take it as explanatory, “No, for we will….”

⁵ tn Heb “to/for Bethel.” The translation assumes that the preposition indicates advantage, “on behalf of.” Another option is to take the preposition as vocative, “O Bethel.”

² tn Heb “Look, gaze at your people, all of us.” Another option is to translate, “Take a good look! We are all your people.”

² tn Traditionally, “let us reason together,” but the context suggests a judicial nuance. The Lord is giving the nation its options for the future.

¹ tn Heb “will be.” Another option is to take the prefixed verbal form as a prayer, “may those who make them end up like them.”