Then he sent and summoned all the nobles of Persia and Media and the satraps and generals and governors and prefects: Here we learn for the first time that the king’s guests from the night before were still in the area. For the titles of the officials here, see the comments on verses 1-2. Here prefects is added; this may be only another indication that the list of important people is intended merely to impress and not to be technically correct, but we think it is a bit different. The Greek term for prefects refers to people who are at the very top of the power structure. We believe that this term is not intended as an additional title, but as a summary of the kinds of men who are involved. Many cultures will have some such inclusive and descriptive term. American idiom uses “bigwigs,” “big shots,” “kahunas,” and “VIPs” (very important persons). For this verse Contemporary English Version simply says “and sent for everyone who had come to his banquet the night before.” We think this model is quite sufficient except for the loss of the additional title. Some translators may feel that the repetition of all these titles is important enough to follow, and there is certainly nothing wrong with doing so. Our following model is based on the Contemporary English Version translation:

• Then he sent for everyone who had attended his banquet the night before—all those important people.

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.