I, Ezra, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to Israel: Ezra was on Mount Horeb when the Lord commanded him to go to Israel. Horeb is another name for “Sinai” (Good News Bible), which is the more familiar name that translators may prefer to use. This mountain is called “Sinai” in 2 Esd 3.17 and 13.4. Mount Sinai is usually identified with Jebel Musa, which is located in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. In many languages Israel is better rendered “the people of Israel” (Good News Bible).

When I came to them they rejected me and refused the Lord’s commandment: The Lord’s commandment refers to the Law of Moses (see the comments on 1 Esd 8.1-3), which Moses received on Mount Sinai. Refused the Lord’s commandment may be translated “refused to obey the Law of the Lord.”

For a model of this verse see the next verse.

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.