Then I sent for …: Ezra called for eleven men to come to him, perhaps by sending a message or a messenger to them. Many versions interpret this verb as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done (also New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). An alternative interpretation of the verb is to take it with the names as direct objects, that is, that Ezra sent the eleven men with the order that will be given in the following verse. Thus, Bible en français courant translates “Then I sent on a mission the leaders…” (similarly New English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Chouraqui). In either case, they were sent to Iddo with a message (see the next verse).

Nine leading men and two who were men of insight were sent to request that some Levites join the group. The text does not indicate how these men were “leaders” (so Good News Translation; see Ezra 7.28) or how they were “prominent” (so Revised English Bible). Nor is it clear what is meant by those who were men of insight (New Revised Standard Version “who were wise”). Revised English Bible calls them “men of discretion.” The Hebrew is literally “those who understand.” This could refer to those who have insight, such as “teachers” (Good News Translation), or “interpreters of the law” (Fensham). In Neh 8.9 this word is used of the Levites who “taught” the Law to the people.

The name Elnathan is repeated three times but this probably refers to three different people all having the same common name. That is how it should be listed here. The second Elnathan may be designated as “another Elnathan” or “a different Elnathan from the first one.” The inclusion of the names of Joiarib and Elnathan here is supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project with a C rating and should be kept in the translation.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .