And the same number of springs flowing with milk and honey: The twelve springs probably represent the twelve apostles also. Springs flowing with milk and honey recalls the familiar Old Testament phrase “land flowing with milk and honey” (see, for example, Exo 3.8; Deut 31.20), which means the land was rich and fertile. However, this is the first time that milk and honey are spoken of as flowing out of springs, which is a rather strange picture, since springs are ordinarily sources of fresh water coming from the ground.

And seven mighty mountains on which roses and lilies grow: Since Rome was built on seven hills, it is possible that this is a promise that Rome will become God’s beautiful garden. 1 Enoch, an early Christian writing, at 18.6 and 24.2 speaks of seven mountains made of precious stones. Roses and lilies may represent the deeds of righteous people. That is the meaning given to flowers in the Greek version of 3 Baruch 12.1-6, a book probably from the second century A.D. In cultures where these flowers are unknown, translators may simply say “beautiful flowers.”

By these I will fill your children with joy: By these is literally “in which.” This phrase probably refers to the paradise where God will place the mother’s children. Good News Bible follows this interpretation by rendering this clause as “I will make your children very happy there.”

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• I have also made for you twelve springs [or, fountains] flowing with [or, out of which flow] milk and honey, and seven high mountains where roses and lilies grow. I will make your children happy in that place.

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.