According to their ability is literally “with their strength” and by extension, “with their wealth.” They contributed to the treasury of the work according to what they possessed; that is, they gave for the work, or they contributed to the funds that were being collected to support or pay for the work. The word rendered treasury refers to the funds that were stored up for the work (see Neh 7.70). This is the first mention of the work in reference to the rebuilding of the Temple. The theme of “work” will recur in Ezra (see 3.8) and especially in Nehemiah (see 2.16).

Darics of gold were gold coins that weighed 8.424 grams each (about 0.3 ounce). They were named after the Persian king Darius I. These coins are mentioned only in Ezra-Nehemiah and 1 Chr 29.7. Some translations use the better known word of Greek origin, which is “drachma,” in place of the Persian daric. Minas of silver were not coins but were weights of about 570 grams each (about 1.25 pounds). Instead of referring to coins that will not be known to readers today, it may be preferable to specify the equivalent amount of gold and silver in weights that will be understood by the reader as Good News Translation has done. The British edition of Good News Translation gives the weight in kilograms: 500 kilos of gold and 2800 kilos of silver. For gold and silver, see Ezra 1.4.

Priests’ garments: These were tunics, that is, inner garments with sleeves, coming down to the knees. They were made of fine, white linen cloth (Exo 28.2-5).

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .