And when he opened the law, they all stood erect: As Ezra unrolled the scroll, all the people stood up as a sign of respect for God’s Law. In this context the Greek verb for opened refers to the action of untying and unrolling a scroll.

And Ezra blessed the Lord God Most High, the God of hosts, the Almighty: Ezra then praised God, in a series of majestic titles. Here the verb blessed is better rendered “praised” (New English Bible, Revised English Bible; see the comments on 1 Esd 4.40). For the Lord God Most High, see the comments on 1 Esd 2.3 and 6.31. The God of hosts is literally “God Sabaoth.” “Sabaoth” transliterates a Hebrew word whose meaning is uncertain in this context. “Sabaoth,” traditionally translated as hosts, may refer to (1) the armies of Israel (as in 1 Sam 17.45), (2) angelic beings (as in Psa 103.21; 148.2), or (3) heavenly bodies, that is, the stars (as in Isa 40.26). However, the general meaning of this title is clear. It designates God as one who is an all-powerful ruler. Good News Bible‘s usual translation of the God of hosts is “God Almighty,” but since the word Almighty is used in this verse, Good News Bible says “Ruler of all” here. The God of hosts and the Almighty are similar in meaning. The majestic titles for God here may be rendered “the Lord God Most High, God the Triumphant and Almighty One” or “God who is above all gods, God who is victorious over all, and God who is All-powerful.” Good News Bible uses direct speech for this praise of God, which some languages may find helpful.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When he opened the book [or, unrolled the scroll], everyone stood up. Then Ezra spoke words of praise, thanking and honoring the Lord God Most High, God the Triumphant and Almighty One.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.