And he reigned three months in Judah and Jerusalem: Jeconiah ruled Judah for only three months in 609 B.C. This clause may be translated “Jeconiah ruled Jerusalem and the rest of Judah only three months.”

Then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem means the Egyptian king removed Jeconiah from power, which signified the authority of Egypt over Judah. Contemporary English Version says “the king of Egypt removed him from being king.” The king of Egypt refers to King Neco (see the comments on verse 25).

And fined the nation a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold: Demanding this tribute from Judah also showed the authority of Egypt over Judah. The talent was a weight. It was the approximate equivalent of 34 kilograms or 75 pounds. The modern equivalents here are approximately “7,500 pounds of silver and 75 pounds of gold” (Good News Bible) or “3,400 kilograms of silver and 34 kilograms of gold.” Translators should be aware that precision in converting ancient measures such as the talent into modern measures is not possible, and that different reference books may assign slightly differing values to these measures.

Here are alternative models for verses 35-36:

• 35 Jeconiah had ruled in Judah and Jerusalem only three months when the king of Egypt removed him from the throne [or, the kingship/office], 36 and demanded that the people of Judah send to Egypt 7,500 pounds [or, 3,400 kilograms] of silver and 75 pounds [or, 34 kilograms] of gold.

• 35 Jeconiah ruled Judah and Jerusalem only three months. Then the king of Egypt removed him from being king, 36 and demanded….

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.