Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 12:21

And two of them shall perish when the middle of its time draws near; and four shall be kept for the time when its end approaches; but two shall be kept until the end: This verse refers to 2 Esd 11.24-31 and 12.2. Two of them shall perish does not mean that two of these eight kings will die, but that “two of them will rule for a short time” (so Good News Bible). The Latin word translated perish can also mean “disappear,” which is its likely meaning here. Revised Standard Version adds the pronoun its in the phrase the middle of its time for clarity. This pronoun refers to the Roman Empire, so the middle of its time may be rendered “the middle period of the kingdom/empire.” The pronoun its in the phrase its end is in the Latin text. This phrase refers to the end of the empire. Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:7

And I tried to see the region or place from which the mountain was carved, but I could not: Ezra could not see the place from which the mountain was carved because the source was in heaven, not on earth. Good News Bible has a good model for this verse. Another possible one is:

• I tried to see from what region he had taken this mountain, but I could not.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:43

And they went in by the narrow passages of the Euphrates river: It is not clear whether the narrow passages refers to natural narrow passages or to narrow passages opened up miraculously for the people to cross the Euphrates River (see verse 44). Good News Bible‘s translation of this verse accepts the first interpretation, which makes good sense to us, as does the way it joins this verse to verse 44. Contemporary English Version also follows this interpretation, and we will provide that model at the end of the discussion on verse 44.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 14:24 - 14:25

But prepare for yourself many writing tablets …: The conjunction But may also be rendered “Then” (Contemporary English Version) or left implied (so Good News Bible). We cannot be certain what is meant by the Latin word rendered writing tablets (buxus), but they were not scrolls. Nor were they stone tablets since a person cannot write quickly on stone, and it is fanciful to imagine enough stone tablets around on which to write the whole Old Testament plus other books, which is what Ezra intended to do. Nor were they clay tablets, which were not used in this part of the world. The Latin word buxus usually refers to the boxwood tree or bush, or to the wood from it. Pieces of wood specially prepared for writing were used at that time. Sometimes they were coated with plaster, a surface from which writing could be erased and then reused. In Egypt schoolboys used such tablets. Sometimes wooden tablets were coated with wax. Some scholars suggest that this is the kind of tablet referred to in Isa 30.8 and Hab 2.2 (see also Luke 1.63). Such tablets could be quickly written on, and later copied with care onto the permanent surface of a scroll. The wax could then be reconditioned and reused. The verb prepare suggests that wooden tablets covered with wax may be intended here. These tablets not only had to be obtained, but also made ready for use. It may be that five scribes were employed here so that one could take down on the waxed wooden tablets what Ezra said as he said it, while the other four occupied themselves with copying the material on scrolls. This is just a guess. Of course, all this information cannot be conveyed in translation, and the translator may have to be satisfied with a general expression for writing tablets, such as “writing material.”

And take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel—these five, because they are trained to write rapidly: There are several ancient Jewish traditions that speak of prophets having groups of five disciples. Sarea is probably the same name as “Seraiah” (Good News Bible) in Ezra 7.1 and Neh 10.2. Dabria is probably the same name as “Dibri” (New English Bible) in Lev 24.11. Selemia is surely the same name as “Shelemiah” (Good News Bible) in Ezra 10.39 and Neh 3.30. Ethanus is likely the same name as “Ethan” (Good News Bible) in 1 Chr 2.6. The name Asiel appears in 1 Chr 4.35. Translators must deal with these names as they see fit. It has ordinarily been our practice in the deuterocanonical books to recommend harmonizing the Greek names found there with their Hebrew equivalents in the Old Testament. However, here the names are nothing more than names of very obscure people. In our judgment translators may as well accommodate the form of the names used here in 2 Esdras to their own situation, but the information above is given for the benefit of those who would rather have something to follow.

And you shall come here: The adverb here refers to the field where Ezra received his revelations (see 2 Esd 9.26). This clause may be rendered “and return here [or, to this place].”

And I will light in your heart the lamp of understanding, which shall not be put out until what you are about to write is finished: Many translators will be able to keep the figurative expression I will light in your heart the lamp of understanding. Contemporary English Version uses a nonfigurative expression, saying “I will give you the knowledge you need,” which some languages may find helpful. The understanding involved here is the content of Scripture, which Ezra will dictate. In spite of the fact that Ezra is dictating and the five other men are writing, all the second person Latin verbs and pronouns in this verse and the next one are singular, referring to Ezra.

Here is an alternative model for verses 24-25:

• 24 Then go get Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel, who know how to write fast. Get a lot of writing material together, 25 and come back here [or, to this place]. I will teach you what you need to know. This knowledge will be like a lamp, and it will not go out until you have finished what you are supposed to write.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 15:15

For the sword and misery draw near them: As in 2Esdras 15.5, the word sword is an image for “war” (Good News Bible). This clause may be rendered “For they will soon experience wars and suffer.”

And nation shall rise up to fight against nation, with swords in their hands: Compare 13.31; Matt 24.7. With swords in their hands again refers to fighting with weapons.

In some languages it will be natural style to keep the imagery of the sword, but for others we suggest the following model for this verse:

• For a time of war and misery is very near, when nations will fight against each other.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 15:55

The reward of a harlot is in your bosom: For The reward of a harlot, compare Deut 23.18 and Micah 1.7. For the Latin word rendered bosom (sinus), see the comments on verse 22. In this context bosom does not have a physical reference, nor is it a metaphor for “heart.” Here bosom may be translated “purse,” so a possible model for this clause is “Your reward as a prostitute is in your purse.” The idea here is that Asia has accepted pay for her services as a prostitute. Good News Bible has “You will be paid for your work as a prostitute,” or we may say “You worked as a prostitute to earn the money you have.”

Therefore you shall receive your recompense: Because Asia has accepted pay for her services, she will also be paid with what she deserves, which is described in the next few verses.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• You worked as a prostitute to earn the money you have, but you are going to get what you really deserve for that.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 16:27

One man will long to see another, or even to hear his voice: Because so many people have died, the survivors will be found only at great distances from each other, and they will be desperately lonely. An alternative model for this verse is:

• A person will ache [or, yearn] to see someone else, or just to hear a human voice.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 16:65

And when your sins come out before men, you shall be put to shame: Compare 2 Esd 7.87. This sentence may be rendered “When everyone learns about your sins, you will be ashamed [or, lose great face].”

And your own iniquities shall stand as your accusers in that day means that their presence, in front of everyone, will give evidence that they committed the sins. In other words, they cannot deny that evidence. They may now deny that they sin (verse 53). They may try to hide their sins (verse 63), but when judgment comes, denying their sins is hopeless.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• When everyone learns about your sins, you will be ashamed [or, lose much face]! There will be no way that you can deny your sins then.

• Think of the shame when everyone learns of your sins! There will be no way that you can deny them then!

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.