complete verse (Ezra 5:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezra 5:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “(He/They) again asked that, ‘Who are these people who are building this house?’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They also asked them for the names of the people who where working on the temple.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They still asked, ‘What are the names of the people who are-working on this?’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They also requested the people to tell them the names of the men who were working at the temple. But the people refused.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezra 5:4

They also asked them this: The Aramaic text has “We also asked them this,” which would be a continuation in the first person of the question in verse 3 above. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives this a B rating. The use of “We” seems to reflect the statement made in the letter in verse 10 below. The change to They is more natural and is probably correct in this place as in some ancient versions (also New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible).

What are the names of the men who are building this building?: This second question expresses a request for the names of those involved in rebuilding the Temple. The form of the question is again direct quotation. Good News Translation changes it to a non-quotation, possibly because that is a very natural way to record a request for information in English. However, its indirectness causes some of the emphasis of the original direct question to be lost. Contemporary English Version renders it as a strong imperative with an exclamation point: “Give us the names of the workers!” But this is not recommended.

Who are building this building is quite literal, for the original text uses a verb and a noun from the same root that means “to build.” What is being built is here referred to as a building. Above it was called a “house” and elsewhere a “temple.” In some languages the use of two words from the same root is good style, but in others it is not. Therefore, translators must be careful to follow the natural stylistic patterns of their language.

The reply given by the Jews in the text of the letter in verses 11-16 below does not include the names, but they may have been in a separate document. It has been suggested that the names in chapter 2 may have been compiled for this purpose. In the parallel passage in 1 Esdras 6.12, a list of names in writing is requested.

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 .