Of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren, Maaseiah, Eliezar, Jarib, and Jodan: The word sons renders the Greek literally. Here it refers to “descendants” (New Revised Standard Version). It may be rendered “Clan” (Good News Bible) or “family” (Contemporary English Version). For Jeshua the son of Jozadak, see the comments on 1 Esd 5.5-6. Maaseiah, Eliezar, Jarib, and Jodan were from the high-priestly clan of Joshua and his brothers. These four men had foreign wives.

They pledged themselves to put away their wives: These men promised to send their non-Jewish wives away. They pledged themselves is literally “And they put out the hands.” Putting out one’s hand was a sign of agreement. King James Version keeps this symbolic action by saying “And they gave their hands.” If translators want to keep it, a better model is “They gave their hands in pledge.” They took an oath to send away their wives with the understanding that they would be subject to punishment if they did not fulfill their promise. For put away their wives, see the comments on 1 Esd 8.93-94.

And to give rams in expiation of their error may be rendered “and to offer rams [or, male sheep] as sacrifices to pay for [or, atone for] their sin.”

Here is an alternative model for verses 19-20:

• 19 Maaseiah, Eliezar, Jarib, and Jodan from the family group of Joshua and his brothers, the sons of Jozadak. 20 They promised to send their wives away, and to offer rams as sacrifices to make up [or, atone] for their sin.

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.