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 .

Ezra expands on the commandments that the people have disobeyed. He does not confess general faithlessness here in verses 11-12. Instead, he confesses that they had broken specific prohibitions. These commandments are a combination of texts and ideas, mainly from Deuteronomy, especially from 7.1-3. Implicitly, by quoting largely from Moses’ words in Deuteronomy, Ezra draws a parallel and a relationship between the first exodus from the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt and the second exodus from their exile in Babylonia.

Which thou didst command by thy servants the prophets: Although Ezra’s words are taken essentially from the words of Moses, this expression refers to the succession of prophets beginning with Moses himself (Deut 18.15). For servants see Ezra 5.11. For prophets see Ezra 5.1. Revised Standard Version quotes the words of the prophets in direct speech. Note that they are a quotation within the quotation of Ezra’s prayer. Revised Standard Version marks them by single opening and closing quotation marks. Good News Translation avoids two levels of quotation by restating the prophets’ words as an indirect quotation. Translators should use the form of quotation that is appropriate for this narrative in the receptor culture.

The land which you are entering: The original context of this expression is the time when the people of Israel were about to enter the promised land after their delivery and exodus from Egypt (see Deut 4.1).

To take possession of it: The promise given to their ancestors was that they would possess the land and it would become theirs (see Deut 1.8). Translators should use a verb that is appropriate for taking possession of land in contrast with possessing objects. Many languages have expressions that are equivalent to the English “occupy” of Good News Translation.

Is a land unclean with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations: In Deuteronomy the land of Canaan is described as “a good land” (8.7) and “a land flowing with milk and honey” (11.9). Here it is described as a land that is unclean. The idea that the land became unclean with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands from their abominations is from Lev 18.24-30. Unclean and pollutions render two forms of the same word in Hebrew, which is used for ritual uncleanness and metaphorically for the pollution of the land due to sin and immoral practices. For abominations see verse 1 above.

For the peoples of the lands, see Ezra 3.3; 9.1. Although the plural is used here, the peoples specifically referred to are those who dwell in the land of Canaan, as Good News Translation makes clear. In a broader sense, the expression here means peoples in Canaan who are not Israelites.

Which have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness: For uncleanness see the comments on “pollutions” at Ezra 6.21 since it translates the same word in Hebrew.

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 .