These are the principal men, according to their fathers’ houses and their groups, who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: In 1 Esd 5.1-46 family groups were listed by name. Here in verses 29-40 individual men are listed, and identified by their family groups to which they belonged. This verse introduces the list of names. Principal men translates one Greek word, which basically means “leaders” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). For the Greek words rendered fathers’ houses and groups, see the comments on 1 Esd 5.4. These two words may be combined here by saying “family groups” (Contemporary English Version). Went up means went to Jerusalem (see the comments on “go up” at 1 Esd 2.5). For Babylon, which refers to the country of “Babylonia” (Good News Bible) in this context, see the comments on 1 Esd 1.40. Contemporary English Version renders this verse as follows:

• Artaxerxes was king of Persia when I led the following leaders of the family groups from Babylonia to Jerusalem:….

Another possible model is:

• “Here is a list of the leading men who went with me from Babylonia to Jerusalem when Artaxerxes was king. Each man is identified by his family group.

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.