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.