But his heads were at rest; the middle head was larger than the other heads, but it also was at rest with them: Good News Bible interprets the Latin word for at rest to mean that the three heads of the eagle were “asleep.” This is probably wrong; it is certainly not clear from the Latin. This word means that the three heads (which represent three great Roman rulers) were not concerned about a threat to their rule from the little wings.

Here is an alternative model for verses 3 and 4:

• 3 Then I saw more wings growing out from [under] the twelve wings, but these were small and weak, 4 and the three heads showed no concern about them. The middle head was larger than the other heads, but it too, showed no concern.

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.