And thy glory passed through the four gates of fire and earthquake and wind and ice: Thy glory refers to the shining light showing that God was present (compare Exo 24.16; 33.18; Ezek 1.28; see also the comments on 1 Esd 5.61). Good News Bible says “The dazzling light of your presence.” Some ancient Jewish traditions thought of God passing through several gates between heaven and earth when he comes down to earth (compare Psa 78.23). Here there are four gates: fire, earthquake, wind, and ice (compare Exo 19.16, 18; Psa 148.8). In this context the Latin word for ice may be rendered “hail” (Contemporary English Version) or “frost” (Good News Bible). Other ways to translate this whole clause are “In your glory you came down through the four gates of fire, earthquake, wind, and ice,” “The dazzling light of your presence passed through the four gates of fire, earthquake, wind, and frost” (Good News Bible), and even “As you passed through the four gates of fire, earthquake, wind and hail, your dazzling light covered you.”

To give the law to the descendants of Jacob, and thy commandment to the posterity of Israel: The phrases the law to the descendants of Jacob and thy commandment to the posterity of Israel have the same meaning since Israel is another name for Jacob. Translators may combine them (see the models below).

Here are possible models for this verse:

• In your glory you came down through the four gates of fire, earthquake, wind, and hail to give your Law to all of Jacob’s descendants.

• As you came down through the four gates of fire, earthquake, wind, and ice to give your Law to all of Jacob’s descendants, your dazzling light covered you.

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.