complete verse (Ezra 10:25)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezra 10:25:

  • Kupsabiny: “And among other Israelites were Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah and Benaiah from the family/house of Parosh.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then from the other Israelites —
    From the family of Parosh — Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah and Benaiah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Of/from the others Israelinhon:
    Ramia, Izia, Malkia, Miamin, Eleazar, Hashabia, and Benaya, who came-from the family of Parosh;” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Ezra 10:25

The families of the laity begin with And of Israel in verse 25. The term Israel was also used of the people of Israel excluding the priests and Levites in Ezra 7.7. Of the eighteen families listed in Ezra 2.3-20, eight are listed here. In addition there are four families in this list not found in Ezra 2. Good News Translation considers this to be a general category and therefore identifies it as “Others.”

There are several textual problems in this list. For example, the name Malchijah occurs twice in this verse. The second occurrence is revised in Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version to Hashabiah on the basis of 1 Esdras 9.26. Other versions, including Good News Translation and New International Version, do not make this change, and they are supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project with a B rating. It is probably best to follow the Hebrew text in the translation. There is no reason why there could not have been two people with the same name in the family. The second occurrence of the name can be translated “another Malchijah.”

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 .