You are sent: In Aramaic this is a singular passive participle referring to Ezra. In some languages it will be necessary to change from the passive to an active verb form. Although the Aramaic verb form does not include a personal pronoun, the king does refer to Ezra with second person singular pronominal suffixes later in the verse. The Aramaic language does not distinguish between honorific and normal pronoun reference, but in some receptor languages it will be necessary to clarify the social distance that would exist between the Persian king and Ezra. Normally, the king would address Ezra in the manner that would be appropriate for addressing someone of the rank of Ezra as a priest and scribe.

It now becomes clear that the decree is given in the name of the king and his seven counselors. The counselors were nobles from the leading families who were authorities in laws and customs and served as advisors to the king (see Est 1.13-14). Thus Ezra’s commission does not come only from the king himself, but also from the group of the king’s closest advisors. It comes from the highest Persian authorities. The king refers to himself in the third person, as is often done in royal speech, but Good News Translation uses the first person throughout the decree since it is the king who is speaking. Translators should use the style that is appropriate for royal settings or similar formal situations in the receptor culture.

To make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God: The Aramaic verb translated to make inquiries means literally “to search” or “to investigate.” Usually this verb means “to search for something,” but here it is linked to the place names of Judah and Jerusalem by the Aramaic preposition ʿal (which is usually translated “to, toward”), so the Revised Standard Version rendering is correct in this context. However, the king does not indicate precisely what Ezra is to make inquiries about. Since most of the text of the letter is about the Temple ritual and Ezra is to do his investigating according to the law of your God, this seems to indicate that he is to make sure that the Temple worship is being done according to the Law of Moses. The Persian kings were concerned about the religious rituals of their subjects so that their prayers and sacrifices would bring blessings to themselves (see the comments on Ezra 1.2). For law see the comment on verse 12 above, where the same Aramaic word dat is used.

Which is in your hand: Some commentators believe that in your hand indicates that Ezra actually had the document of the Law, all or part of the Pentateuch, with him and that he was taking it to Jerusalem. Others understand this expression to be a figure of speech meaning “which has been entrusted to you” (Good News Translation; similarly New English Bible), “of which you have mastery,” or “which is at your disposal.”

Revised Standard Version retains the ambiguities of the original text in its rendering of this verse (also Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). New American Bible is similar with “… to supervise Judah and Jerusalem in respect of the law of your God which is in your possession.” However, Good News Translation makes explicit its interpretation of this first instruction in the king’s message: “… to investigate the conditions in Jerusalem and Judah in order to see how well the Law of your God, which has been entrusted to you, is being obeyed.” Bible en français courant translates similarly with “… to see how the law of your God, of which you are taking the text with you, is respected there.” Translators should follow the model of Good News 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 .