For translates the Hebrew conjunction that connects this statement with the previous statement as an explanation of the reason for what had taken place. The blessing of God was given to Ezra because of his devotion to God’s Law: For Ezra had set his heart to study … to do … to teach the law of the LORD. Ezra’s focus as a scholar was the Torah of the LORD (see the comment on verses 6-7 above). His primary interest was to promote the religious development of the community.
The heart was the center of emotions for the Hebrews. It was also the source of thought and the basis for decision-making and thus it was a symbol for one’s whole being (see also Ezra 6.22). Here it is said that Ezra had set his heart. The verb is a perfect form that has a basic meaning of “to be firm, ready, certain.” The verbal form used here has a causative meaning, that is, “to direct, to set.” In other words, Ezra “had devoted himself” or “had committed himself” to the purpose of studying, interpreting and teaching the Law. The English language here uses a pluperfect tense to indicate that Ezra’s action took place before the event of the previous verse; that is, because of what Ezra did, God’s hand was upon him.
To study in this context means “to inquire” or “to seek.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible therefore translates the first part of the verse as “Ezra had, in effect, applied his heart to searching the Law of the LORD” (similarly Chouraqui, Osty-Trinquet). Translators should take care that the word they choose for study in the receptor language does not express only the sense of “learning” or “reading.”
To do the Law would be to interpret and apply the Law to specific cases. This kind of interpretation is concerned with the practical application of the Law as a guide to one’s life. It is has been suggested by Myers that do and teach are a pair of words that express a single idea, meaning “teach effectively.” This would put the emphasis on teaching and not on the practice of the Law. The Septuagint, however, translates the two words separately, and the context supports the emphasis on both administering and teaching the Law (see verse 25 below). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “to observe” and “to teach,” while Contemporary English Version says simply “obeying” and “teaching.” Translators likewise should retain the separate meanings of the different verbs.
His statutes and ordinances: Statutes (choq in Hebrew) are basic provisions of the Law, usually understood as divine decrees, while ordinances (mishpat in Hebrew) are legal judgments based on those provisions. Here the two together refer to the totality of the Law (see Neh 1.7; 9.13). These two terms are among a group of near synonyms for the Law of God in the Hebrew language. Although it is possible to combine these two words into a single term in translation, it is preferable to use equivalent terms if at all possible. For example, statutes and ordinances may be rendered “rules and regulations” or “commands and legal decisions.” Many languages use compound noun constructions to highlight particular areas and distinctions of meaning. For a discussion on the range of terms used for the Law of God in the Old Testament, see A Handbook on Psalms, pages 192 and 996.
The Hebrew text does not indicate whether the statutes and ordinances are to be associated with the Law or with the LORD. Revised Standard Version says they are his, and Good News Translation says they are “its” referring to the Law, while other versions leave the association to be understood by omitting a specific possessive pronoun (so New American Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). It would be best for the translator to use no pronoun as in the Hebrew; for example, New Revised Standard Version simply has “the statutes and ordinances.” See also verse 11 below.
In Israel: It is made explicit in Good News Translation that Israel refers to “the people of Israel.” Parole de Vie says “the Israelites.” See Ezra 1.3.
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 .