1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia came to Jerusalem and surrounded the city to cut off all supplies to it. 2 The Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory over Jehoiakim king of Judah, and he gave him some of the sacred objects from the house of God. He brought them into the land of Babylonia, to the house of his god, and he placed the sacred objects in his god's treasury. 3 The king spoke to Ashpenaz, his chief official, to bring in some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility— 4 young men without blemish, attractive in appearance, having insight in all wisdom, filled with knowledge and understanding, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king counted out for them a daily portion of his delicacies and some of the wine that he drank. These young men were to be trained for three years, and after that, they would serve the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, some of the people of Judah. 7 The chief official gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
8 But Daniel intended in his mind that he would not pollute himself with the king's delicacies or with the wine that he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God gave Daniel favor and compassion through the respect that the chief official had for him. 10 The chief official said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my master the king. He has commanded what food and drink you should have. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men of your own age? The king might have my head because of you." 11 Then Daniel spoke to the steward whom the chief official had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 He said, "Please test us, your servants, for ten days. Give us only some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the king's delicacies, and treat us, your servants, based on what you see."
14 So the steward agreed with him to do this, and he tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days their appearance was more healthy, and they were better nourished, than all the young men who ate the king's delicacies. 16 So the steward took away their delicacies and their wine and gave them only vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and insight in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel could understand all kinds of visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king spoke with them, and among the whole group there were none to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They stood before the king, ready to serve him. 20 In every question of wisdom and understanding that the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead, who were in his entire kingdom. 21 Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were chosen to be trained for service in the Babylonian kingdom. It was not unusual for foreigners to be given positions in the Babylonian government as advisors or cultural ambassadors.
The food from the king included things the Jews were not allowed to eat according to the law of Moses. Daniel requested permission not to eat the king's food. He proved to the king that this food was not necessary for good health. (See: lawofmoses)
This refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers, not only to Nebuchadnezzar. Alternate translation: "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia and his soldiers"
"to stop the people from receiving any supplies"
This refers to Jehoiakim and his soldiers, not only to Jehoiakim. Alternate translation: "the army of Jehoiakim king of Judah"
This refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers, not only to Nebuchadnezzar. Alternate translation: "gave Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia and his soldiers"
Jehoiakim gave Nebuchadnezzar
Although Nebuchadnezzar did not do these things alone, it may easier for the reader to retain the singular pronouns. Alternate translation: "They brought ... they placed"
Here "them" probably refers to Jehoiakim and other prisoners, as well as the sacred objects.
This was an act of devotion to his god.
This refers to Nebuchadnezzar.
This is the chief official.
These two negative words together emphasize a positive idea. Alternate translation: "with perfect appearance"
This is an idiom. This means they knew much and could organize and use that information.
This is the large house or building where the king lives.
"Ashpenaz was to teach them"
"the writings"
The king's officials did this task for him. Alternate translation: "The king's officials counted out for them"
the special, rare, good foods that the king ate
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Ashpenaz was to train these young men"
"taught skills"
"Among the young men from Israel"
This refers to Ashpenaz who was King Nebuchadnezzar's highest official.
These are all men's names.
Here "mind" refers to Daniel himself. Alternate translation: "Daniel decided to himself"
To "pollute" something is to make is unclean. Some of the food and drink of the Babylonians would make Daniel ceremonially unclean according to God's law. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "make himself unclean according to God's law"
This refers to the special, rare, good foods that the king ate. See how you translated this in Daniel 1:3.
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The official uses this question to explain what he thought would happen. It can be a statement. Alternate translation: "He does not want to see you looking worse than the other young men of your own age."
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "The king might cut off my head" or "The king might kill me"
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Daniel asked the steward to see if he and his friends looked worse than the other young men. Alternate translation: "compare our appearance to see if it is worse than the appearance"
tested Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
The pronouns refer to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
This means to have been made healthy from what you have eaten.
All of these pronouns refer to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
This can be reworded so that the abstract nouns "knowledge" and "insight" can be expressed as the verbs "learn" and "understand." Alternate translation: "God gave them the ability to learn and understand clearly"
Here "all" is a generalization to show that they had a very good education and understanding. Alternate translation: "in many things that the Babylonians had written and studied"
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The king spoke with the "four young men" (Daniel 1:17).
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah pleased him much more than anyone else in the whole group"
These are the names of men. See how you translated these names in Daniel 1:6.
Here "ten times" is an exaggeration representing great quality. Alternate translation: "much better"
"the first year that King Cyrus ruled Babylon"
1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had dreams. His mind was troubled, and he could not sleep. 2 Then the king summoned the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead. He also called the sorcerers and educated men. He wanted them to tell him his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my mind is anxious to know what the dream means." 4 Then the educated men spoke to the king in Aramaic, "King, live forever! Tell the dream to us, your servants, and we will reveal the interpretation." 5 The king replied to the educated men, "This matter has been settled. If you do not reveal to me the dream and its interpretation, your bodies will be torn apart and your houses made into rubbish heaps. 6 But if you will tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive gifts from me, a reward, and great honor. So tell to me the dream and its interpretation." 7 They replied again and said, "Let the king tell us, his servants, the dream and we will tell you its interpretation." 8 The king answered, "I know for certain that you want more time because you see how firm my decision is about this. 9 But if you do not tell me the dream, there is only one sentence for you. You have decided to prepare false and corrupt words that you agreed together to say to me until I change my mind. So then, tell me the dream, and then I will know that you can tell the interpretation." 10 The educated men replied to the king, "There is not a man on earth able to meet the king's demand. There is no great king or ruler who has demanded such a thing from any magician, or from anyone who claims to speak with the dead, or from an educated man. 11 What the king demands is difficult, and there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." 12 This made the king angry and very furious, and he gave an order to destroy all the wise men in Babylon. 13 So the decree went out to put the wise men to death, and they sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch the commander of the king's bodyguard, who had come to kill all the wise men in Babylon. 15 Daniel asked the king's commander, "Why is the king's decree so urgent?" So Arioch told Daniel what had happened. 16 Then Daniel went in and requested an appointment with the king so that he could present the interpretation to the king.
17 Then Daniel went to his house and explained to his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that Daniel and his friends might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 That night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and Daniel said,
"Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to him.
21 He changes the times and seasons;
he removes kings and places kings on their thrones.
He gives wisdom to wise men
and knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals the deep and hidden things
because he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light lives with him.
23 God of my ancestors, I thank you and praise you
for the wisdom and power you gave to me.
Now you have made known to me what we asked of you;
you have made known to us the matter that concerns the king."
24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (the one the king appointed to kill everyone who was wise in Babylon). He went and said to him, "Do not destroy the wise men in Babylon. Take me to the king and I will show the king the interpretation of his dream."
25 Then Arioch quickly brought in Daniel before the king and said, "I have found among the exiles of Judah a man who will reveal the interpretation of the king's dream." 26 The king said to Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me the dream that I saw and its interpretation?" 27 Daniel answered the king and said, "The mystery that the king has asked about cannot be revealed by wise men, nor by those who claim to speak with the dead, nor by magicians, and not by astrologers. 28 Nevertheless, there is a God who lives in the heavens, who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, what will happen in the days to come. These were your dream and the visions of your mind as you lay on your bed. 29 As for you, king, your thoughts on your bed were about things to come, and the one who reveals mysteries has made known to you what is about to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery was not revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living person. This mystery was revealed to me so that you, king, may understand the interpretation, and so that you may know the thoughts of your mind.
31 King, you looked up and you saw a great statue. This statue, which was large and had exceeding splendor, stood before you. Its brightness was terrifying. 32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its breast and arms were of silver. Its middle and its thighs were made of bronze, 33 and its legs were made of iron. Its feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You looked up, and a stone was cut out, although not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and it shattered them. 35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold at the same time were broken into pieces and became like the chaff of the threshing floors in the summer. The wind carried them away and there was no trace of them left. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 This was the dream. Now we will tell the king the interpretation. 37 You, king, are king of the kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the honor. 38 He has given into your hand the place where the human beings live. He has given over the animals of the field and the birds of the heavens into your hand, and he has made you rule over them all. You are the statue's head of gold. 39 After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze will rule over all the earth. 40 There will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks other things into pieces and shatters everything. It will shatter all these things and crush them. 41 Just as you saw, the feet and toes were partly made of baked clay and partly made of iron, so it will be a divided kingdom; some of the strength of iron will be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 As the toes of the feet were partly made of iron and partly made of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so the people will be a mixture; they will not stay together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be conquered by another people. It will break the other kingdoms into pieces and put an end to all of them, and it will remain forever. 45 Just as you saw, a stone was cut out of the mountain, but not by human hands. It broke the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to you, king, what will happen after this. The dream is true and this interpretation is reliable."
46 King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face before Daniel and honored him; he commanded that an offering be made and that incense be offered up to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and the one who reveals mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery." 48 Then the king made Daniel highly honored and gave him many wonderful gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel became chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be administrators over the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in Daniel's prayer in 2:20-23.
Daniel told the king's dream and what the dream meant. In the ancient Near East, it was believed that only people in touch with the gods could interpret dreams. (See: falsegod)
Daniel gave Yahweh the honor for having told him the dream and its meaning in answer to the prayers of the four men.
"In year two"
"Nebuchadnezzar had dreams"
Here "mind" refers to his thoughts. Alternate translation: "His thoughts disturbed him"
His troubled thoughts prevented him from sleeping. Alternate translation: "so that he could not sleep"
"Then the king called the magicians"
"people who had died"
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge.
"they came into the palace"
"stood in front of"
"to tell him what he had dreamed"
Here "mind" refers to the king himself. Alternate translation: "I am anxious"
"troubled"
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 2:2.
This is the language that people in Babylon spoke.
The men probably said this to show the king that they were loyal to him. Alternate translation: "King, we hope you will live forever!"
The men called themselves the king's servants to show him respect.
Here the word "we" refers to the men that the king is speaking to and does not include the king.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "will interpret it for you" or "will reveal what the dream means"
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 2:2.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I have already decided what to do about this matter"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will command my soldiers to tear your bodies apart and to make your houses into rubbish heaps"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will give you gifts"
The wise men addressed the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: "Please tell us"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
A decision that will not be changed is spoken of as something firm. Alternate translation: "you see that I will not change my decision about this"
"there is only one punishment for you"
These two words mean approximately the same thing and emphasize that these are "lies intended to deceive."
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4]
or "Chaldeans ... Chaldean." These phrases translate a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated similar words in Daniel 2:2.
This double negative emphasizes that only the gods can tell it to the king. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "the only ones who can tell it to the king are the gods" or "only the gods can tell this to the king"
These words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his anger. Alternate translation: "incredibly angry"
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise.
The decree is spoken of as if it was alive and able to go out by itself. Alternate translation: "So the king issued a command" or "So the king gave a command"
"to kill the wise men"
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the greatness of his prudence. Alternate translation: "caution and careful judgment"
This is the name of the king's commander.
This is a group of men whose job is to protect the king.
"whom the king had sent out to kill"
The phrase "wise men" translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
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Daniel probably went to the palace. Alternate translation: "Daniel went to the palace" or "Daniel went to talk with the king"
"asked for a set time to meet with the king"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4]
This is referring to Daniel's house.
"about the king's decree"
"He begged them to pray for mercy"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so that the king would not destroy Daniel and his friends" or "so that the king's bodyguard would not destroy Daniel and his friends"
killed
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "That night God revealed the mystery"
This is referring to the king's dream and its meaning.
Here "name" refers to God himself. Alternate translation: "Praise God"
These verses are also part of Daniel's prayer.
"he takes away kings' authority to rule"
Here being on the "throne" refers to ruling over a kingdom. Alternate translation: "makes new kings rule over their kingdoms"
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
"the light comes from where God is"
This verse is also part of Daniel's prayer. He stops addressing God in the third person and switches to the more personal second person.
"told me what my friends and I asked you to tell us"
"told us what the king wants to know"
This is the name of the king's commander. See how you translated this name in [Daniel 2:14]
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
Arioch speaks to the king in third person to show him respect. Alternate translation: "your dream"
Belteshazzar was the name the Babylonians gave to Daniel. See how you translated this name in [Daniel 1:7]
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Those who have wisdom, those who claim to speak with the dead, magicians, and astrologers cannot reveal the mystery about which the king has asked"
This phrase refers to the king's dream.
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
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Daniel continues talking to the king.
This phrase refers to God. Alternate translation: "God, who reveals mysteries" or "God, who makes mysteries known"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God did not reveal this mystery to me"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He revealed the mystery to me so that you"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4]
"know the thoughts of your innermost being" or "know your innermost thoughts"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
"was of fine gold" or "was fine gold"
"were partly of iron and partly of clay" or "were partly iron and partly clay"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
This can be stated in active form if it is divided into two sentences. Alternate translation: "someone cut a stone from a mountain, but it was not a human who cut it. The stone"
This phrase is comparing the pieces of the statue to small and light things which could be blown away by the wind. Alternate translation: "like dry pieces of grass blowing away in the wind"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "they were completely gone"
"spread over the whole earth"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
Here "we" refers only to Daniel. He may have used to plural form in humility to avoid taking credit for knowing the meaning of the dream that God had revealed to him.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
Daniel speaks of himself in plural and to the king in third person to show respect. Alternate translation: "I will tell you"
"the most important king" or "a king who rules over other kings"
These words mean basically the same thing.
Here "hand" refers to control. Alternate translation: "He has given you control over the place"
The place is used to represent the people who live there. Alternate translation: "the people of the land"
Here "hand" refers to control. Alternate translation: "He has given you control over the animals of the fields and the birds of the heavens"
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people.
Here "heavens" is used in the sense of "skies."
In the king's dream the statue's head represents the king. Alternate translation: "The golden head symbolizes you" or "The golden head is a symbol of you and your power"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
In the king's dream his kingdom is gold so an inferior kingdom would be silver. Alternate translation: "another kingdom, which is of silver, will arise" or "another kingdom, which is represented by the silver parts of the statue, will arise"
This is symbolic language where the bronze of parts of the statue represent a future kingdom. Alternate translation: "then still another kingdom, which is represented by the bronze parts of the statue"
"kingdom number three"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
"There will be a kingdom number four"
The fourth kingdom is spoken of as being as strong as iron.
This symbolic language means the fourth kingdom will defeat and replace the other kingdoms.
"the previous kingdoms"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
Nebuchadnezzar saw that the feet consisted of clay and iron. He did not see the process of making the feet.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "were a mixture of baked clay and iron"
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"they will not remain united"
Daniel continues talking to the king.
Here "those kings" refers to the rulers of the kingdoms symbolized by the different parts of the statue.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that no one will ever destroy, and that another people never conquer"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "someone cut a stone from the mountain, but it was not a human who cut it"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
trustworthy and correct
This symbolic act showed that the king was honoring Daniel. Alternate translation: "lay down with his face on the ground"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "his servants make an offering and offer up incense to Daniel"
"It is true that your God"
"greater than all the other gods, and King over all other kings"
Translate "the one who reveals mysteries" as in Daniel 2:29.
"to reveal the mystery of my dream"
"The king made Daniel the ruler"
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
These were the Babylonian names of the three Jewish men who were brought to Babylon with Daniel. See how you translated these names in Daniel 1:7
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He set it up in the Plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar sent messages out to gather together the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that the king had set up. 3 Then the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces gathered together to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood before it. 4 Then a herald loudly shouted, "You are commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship, at that very moment, will be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire." 7 So when all the peoples heard the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Now at this time certain Chaldeans came and brought accusations against the Jews. 9 They said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, "King, live forever! 10 You, king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, must fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship must be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 Now there are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon; their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, king, pay no attention to you. They will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up."
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, filled with anger and rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought to him. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Have you made your minds up, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my gods or worship to the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready—when you hear the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music—to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, all will be well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. Who is the god who is able to rescue you out of my hands?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If there is an answer, it is that our God whom we serve is able to keep us safe from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us out of your hand, king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, king, that we will not serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue you set up."
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage; the look on his face changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was normally heated. 20 Then he commanded some very strong men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 They were tied up still wearing their robes, tunics, turbans, and other clothing, and they were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 Because the king's command was strictly followed and the furnace was exceedingly hot, the flames of the fire killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire while they were tied up.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was amazed and stood up quickly. He asked his advisors, "Did we not throw three men tied up into the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, king." 25 He said, "But I see four men who are not tied up walking around in the fire, and they are not hurt. The brilliance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of God Most High, come out! Come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire. 27 The provincial governors, regional governors, other governors, and the king's counselors who had gathered together saw these men. The fire had not hurt their bodies; the hair on their heads was not singed; their robes were not harmed; and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar said, "Let us praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his messenger and rescued his servants who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and they gave up their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their God. 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego must be torn apart, and that their houses must be made into rubbish heaps because there is no other god who is able to save like this." 30 Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to prosper in the province of Babylon.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the new idol. In the ancient Near East, refusing to worship the king was a sign of rebellion against the king. It was often considered the crime of treason. (See: sign)
There was a fourth person with them in the furnace, and because of this they were not hurt. Most scholars believe this to be Jesus before he was born.
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to make a gold statue ... They set it up"
A cubit is 46 centimeters. Alternate translation: "about 27 meters tall and almost 3 meters wide"
This is a location within the kingdom of Babylon.
These are officials who have authority over different sizes of territory.
These officials are in charge of money.
See how you translated this list in Daniel 3:2.
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar's men had set up"
This person is an official messenger for the king.
This can be stated in active form. "The king commands you"
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. Alternate translation: "people from different nations and who speak different languages"
These are musical instruments similar to harps. They are shaped like triangles and have four strings.
Here "fall down" means "quickly lie down"
"stretch yourselves out on the ground, face down, in worship of the golden statue"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The soldiers will throw into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire anyone who does not fall down and worship the statue at the very moment they hear the music"
Here "fall down" means "quickly lie down"
Here "all" that means all the people who were present.
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated this in [Daniel 3:4]
These are musical instruments. See how you translated these words in Daniel 3:5.
They did this to worship the statue. Alternate translation: "stretched themselves out on the ground face down in worship of the golden statue"
Here "fell down" means "quickly lay down"
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar's men had set up"
This word is used to mark a stop in the main story. Here the writer tells about some new people in the story.
Or "certain educated men." The word translated "Chaldeans" here is translated "educated men" in Daniel 2:2, 4, 5, 10, but here it is not clear whether the author is referring to that group of men or simply to some Chaldean people.
This was a common greeting to the king.
These are musical instruments. See how you translated these words in Daniel 3:5.
"stretch himself out on the ground face down in worship of"
Here "fall down" means "quickly lie down"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Soldiers must throw into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire anyone who does not lie down on the ground and worship"
Here "fall down" means "quickly lie down"
See how you translated this in Daniel 3:6.
matters having to do with government
These are the Babylonian names of the three Jewish friends of Daniel. See how you translated these names in Daniel 1:7.
"do not pay attention to you"
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the golden statue your men have set up"
Nebuchadnezzar's anger and rage were so intense that they are spoken of as if they had filled him up. Here "anger" and "rage" mean about the same thing and are used to emphasize how upset the king was. Alternate translation: "extremely angry"
These are the Babylonian names of the three Jewish friends of Daniel. See how you translated these names in Daniel 1:7.
Here "mind" refers to deciding. To "make up your mind" is an idiom that means to firmly decide. Alternate translation: "Have you firmly decided"
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the golden statue that my men have set up"
These are musical instruments. See how you translated this list in Daniel 3:5.
"stretch yourselves out on the ground face down in worship of"
Here "fall down" means "quickly lie down"
"there will no longer be a problem" or "you will be free to go"
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the statue that my men have made"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "my soldiers will immediately throw you into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire"
See how you translated this in Daniel 3:6.
The king does not expect an answer. He is threatening the three men. Alternate translation: "No god is able to rescue you from my power!"
Here "hands" refers to power to punish. Alternate translation: "from my punishment"
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See how you translated similar words in Daniel 3:6.
Here "hand" refers to power to punish. Alternate translation: "from your punishment"
"But king, we must let you know that even if our God does not rescue us"
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: "the golden statue your men set up"
The king was so angry that rage is spoken of as if it were filling him up. Alternate translation: "Nebuchadnezzar became extremely angry"
Here "seven times hotter" is an idiom that means to make it very much hotter. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He commanded his men to make the furnace very much hotter than they normally make it"
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A turban is a head covering made of wrapped cloth.
See how you translated similar words in Daniel 3:6.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Because the men did exactly what the king commanded"
See how you translated similar words in Daniel 3:6.
"We threw three men tied up into the fire, right"
The gods were believed to shine brightly with light. Alternate translation: "Man four is shining brightly with light as a son of the gods would shine"
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These are officials who have authority over different sizes of territory. See how you translated these in Daniel 3:2.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the fire had not singed the hair on their heads"
"was not burned even a little"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the fire did not harm their robes"
"they did not smell like fire"
Not obeying the king's command is spoken of as if they had physically moved it away from them. Nebuchadnezzar refers to himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "they ignored my command"
This phrase refers to the three men's willingness to die for what they believed. Alternate translation: "they were willing to die"
"any other god except their God"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "my servants will tear apart any people, nation, or language ... and make their houses into piles of garbage"
Here "nations" and "language" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Daniel 3:4]
"speaks words that do not respect the God"
"must have their bodies torn apart"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "only their God is able to save like this"
"made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego powerful officials"
1 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this decree to all peoples, nations, and languages who lived on the earth: May your peace increase.
2 It has seemed good to me to tell you about the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his signs,
and how mighty are his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion lasts from generation to generation."
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living happily in my house, and I was enjoying prosperity in my palace. 5 But a dream I had made me afraid. As I lay there, the images I saw and the visions in my mind troubled me. 6 So I gave a decree to bring before me all the wise men of Babylon so they could interpret the dream for me. 7 Then came the magicians, those who claimed to speak with the dead, the educated men, and the astrologers. I told them the dream, but they could not make known the interpretation to me. 8 But at last Daniel came in—the one who is named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream. 9 "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the appearance of my dream and its interpretation. 10 These were the sights that I saw in my mind as I lay upon my bed: I looked, and there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was very great. 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its top reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. The animals of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches. All living creatures were fed from it. 13 I saw in my mind as I lay on my bed, and a watcher, a holy one came down from the heavens. 14 He shouted and said, 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds fly away from its branches. 15 Leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the animals among the plants on the ground. 16 Let his mind be changed from a man's mind, and let an animal's mind be given to him until seven years pass by. 17 This sentence is by the decree of the watchers, a decision made by the holy ones, so that those who are alive may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and gives them to anyone he wishes to place over them, even to the most humble men.' 18 I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had this dream. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able to do so, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
19 Then Daniel, who was also named Belteshazzar, was greatly upset for a brief time, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar replied, "My master, may the dream be for those who hate you; may its interpretation be for your enemies. 20 The tree that you saw—which grew and became strong, and whose top reached up to the heavens, and which could be seen to the ends of the whole earth— 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and whose fruit was abundant, so that in it was food for all, and under it the animals of the field found shade, and in which the birds of the heavens lived— 22 this tree is you, king, you who have grown so strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion reaches to the ends of the earth. 23 You, king, saw a watcher, a holy one coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the animals in the field until seven years pass by.' 24 This is the interpretation, king. It is a decree of the Most High that has reached you, my master the king. 25 You will be driven from among men, and you will live with the animals in the field. You will be made to eat grass like cattle, and you will be wet with the dew from the heavens, and seven years will pass by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and that he gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 As it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, in this way your kingdom will be returned to you from the time you learn that heaven rules. 27 Therefore, king, let my advice be pleasing to you. Stop sinning and do what is right. Turn away from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, and it may be that your prosperity will be extended."
28 All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, 30 and he said, "Is this not the great Babylon, which I have built for my royal residence, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 While the words were still on the lips of the king, a voice came from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, it is announced to you that this kingdom has been taken away from you. 32 You will be driven away from people, and your home will be with the animals in the field. You will be made to eat grass like cattle. Seven years will pass until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and he gives them to anyone he wishes." 33 This decree against Nebuchadnezzar was carried out immediately. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was wet with the dew from the heavens. His hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails became like birds' claws.
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was given back to me.
"I praised the Most High,
and I honored and glorified the one who lives forever.
For his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from all generations to all generations.
35 All the earth's inhabitants
are considered by him to be as nothing;
he does among the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth
whatever suits his will.
No one can stop him or challenge him.
No one can say to him, 'Why have you done this?'"
36 At the same time that my sanity returned to me, my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my noblemen sought my favor. I was brought back to my throne, and even more greatness was given to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven, for all his deeds are true, and his ways are just. He can humble those who walk in their own pride.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 4:3 and 4:34-35.
The king became insane until he realized that Yahweh was the ruler over everyone, including him.
In this chapter, Nebuchadnezzar tells what God did to him. In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God. Verses 19-33 switch to the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar. Verses 34-37 change back to first person as Nebuchadnezzar describes his response to God.
This phrase is referring to the king's messenger as the king himself. Alternate translation: "Nebuchadnezzar sent his messengers with"
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated this in Daniel 3:4. Alternate translation: "people from different nations and who speak different languages"
Kings would often exaggerate how wide their kingdom was. Nebuchadnezzar did rule over most of the known world at the time this book was written. Alternate translation: "who lived in the kingdom of Babylon"
This is a common greeting.
These words share similar meanings and refer to the amazing things that God had done.
Both of these phrases have the same meaning and are used to emphasize how great God's signs and wonders are.
Both of these phrases have the same meaning and are repeated to emphasize how God's reign is forever.
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God.
These two phrases are parallel and mean the same thing.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing.
These phrases mean basically the same thing.
These phrases are parallel and they mean the same thing.
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God.
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 2:2.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who I named Belteshazzar"
This was the name the Babylonians gave to Daniel. See how you translated this name in Daniel 1:7.
The can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "you understand the meaning of every mystery"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
"what I saw as I was dreaming" or "what my dream looked like"
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God.
things that you see
"it was very tall"
This is symbolic language that exaggerates how tall and how well-known the tree was. Alternate translation: "It seemed that its top reached up to the sky and that everyone in the world could see it"
"there was a lot of fruit on the tree"
"was food for all people and animals"
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people. See how you translated this in Daniel 2:38.
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God.
This refers to seeing a dream or vision. Alternate translation: "I saw in my dream"
Some versions translate this phrase as "a messenger."
It can be made clear that the holy messenger was speaking to more than one person. Alternate translation: "He shouted to some people and said"
"The animals will flee from under it and the bird will fly away from its branches"
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God. The holy messenger in the vision continues shouting to some people.
This is the part of the tree that is left above the ground after a tree is cut down.
the moisture on the ground that is found in the mornings
Since the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar, the masculine pronouns "his" and "him" in verse 16 refer to the same tree as the neuter pronoun "it" in verse 15. Alternate translation: "The man's mind will change from a man's mind to an animal's mind for a period of seven years"
In verses 1-18, Nebuchadnezzar describes in the first person his vision from God.
Some versions translate this phrase as "the messengers." See how you translated the words "a watcher" in Daniel 4:13-14.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "a decision that the holy ones have made"
This phrase probably refers to angels. Alternate translation: "the holy angels"
"every living person" or "everyone"
"gives the kingdoms"
This was the name the Babylonians gave to Daniel. See how you translated this name in Daniel 1:7.
"you are able to interpret it"
Nebuchadnezzar believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Nebuchadnezzar worshiped. These are not the same as "the holy ones" in verse 17. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 4:8.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4] The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated them in [Daniel 2:5]
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who I also named Belteshazzar"
Daniel's understanding of the meaning of the vision is what alarmed him. This can be explicitly stated. Alternate translation: "did not say anything for a brief time because he was very worried about the meaning of the dream"
Daniel is expressing his wish that the dream was not about Nebuchadnezzar, even though he knew that it really was about the king.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4]
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar . Many terms in this verse are almost the same as in Daniel 4:11. See how you translated that verse.
These phrases are exaggerations to emphasize that everyone everywhere knew how great Nebuchadnezzar was.
Many terms in this verse are almost the same as Daniel 4:12. See how you translated that verse.
"which bore a great amount of fruit"
"this tree represents you, king"
These two phrases mean similar things.
This phrase is using the word "grown" as a way of saying the king's greatness has increased. Alternate translation: "Your greatness has increased"
This verse is almost the same as [Daniel 4:13-14]
Some versions translate this phrase as "a messenger." See how you translated it in Daniel 4:13.
This is the part of the tree that is left above ground after a tree is cut down.
"surrounded by the tender grass of the field"
the moisture that settles on the ground in the mornings
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people. See how you translated this in Daniel 2:38.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated this in [Daniel 2:4]
"that you have heard"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Men will drive you away from them"
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people. See how you translated this in Daniel 2:38.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "You will eat grass"
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
Here "heaven" refers to God who lives in heaven. Alternate translation: "God in heaven is the ruler of all"
These words express a desire. Alternate translation: "I hope you will be pleased with my advice and do what I advise you to do"
Here rejecting iniquity is spoken of as turning away from it. Alternate translation: "Reject your iniquities"
This nominal adjective refers to people who are oppressed. Alternate translation: "people who are oppressed"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God may extend your prosperity"
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
"12 months"
Nebuchadnezzar asks this question to emphasize his own glory. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "This is the great Babylon ... for the glory of my majesty!"
"to show people my honor and my greatness"
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
This idiom means the king was still in the act of speaking. Alternate translation: "While the king was still speaking"
"he heard a voice from heaven"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "King Nebuchadnezzar, a decree went out against you that this kingdom no longer belongs to you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will chase you away from them"
"wild animals in the fields." Here "the field" is places where the plants that grow there are useless to people. See how you translated this in Daniel 2:38.
"whoever he chooses"
Verses 19-33 use the third person to describe the punishment of Nebuchadnezzar.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "This decree against Nebuchadnezzar happened immediately"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People chased him away from them"
"his fingernails looked like birds' claws"
In verses 34-37 Nebuchadnezzar speaks in the first person to describe his response to God.
This refers back to the seven years in Daniel 4:32.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "my sanity came back to me" or "I became sane again"
The two phrases refer to the same action.
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are used to emphasize how God's reign never ends. Alternate translation: "He rules forever and his kingdom will never end"
In verses 34-37 Nebuchadnezzar speaks in the first person to describe his response to God.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He considers all the earth's inhabitants as nothing"
"All the people on the earth"
"the angel armies in heaven"
"whatever satisfies his purpose" or "anything he wants to do"
It may be helpful to add additional detail. Alternate translation: "When he decides to do something, no one can stop him"
This can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "No one can question what he does."
In verses 34-37 Nebuchadnezzar speaks in the first person to describe his response to God.
Here his sanity is spoken of as if it was able to return by its own power. Alternate translation: "I became sane again"
Here his majesty and splendor are spoken of as if they were able to return by their own power. Alternate translation: "I regained my majesty and my splendor again"
These words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the greatness of his glory.
"my noblemen requested my help again"
Here "throne" refers to his authority to rule. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I returned to rule my kingdom again, and I received even more greatness"
All three of these words have basically the same meaning and emphasize how greatly he praised God.
This phrase uses "walk" to refer to the person who acts proud. Alternate translation: "who are proud"
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his noblemen, and he drank wine in front of all one thousand of them. 2 While Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the containers made of gold or silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, from which the king, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines could drink. 3 The servants brought the gold containers that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God, in Jerusalem. The king, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines drank from them. 4 They drank the wine and praised their idols made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
5 At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared in front of the lampstand and wrote on the plaster wall in the king's palace. The king could see part of the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king's face changed and his thoughts frightened him; his limbs could not support him, and his knees were knocking together. 7 The king shouted a command to bring in those who claimed to speak with the dead, the educated men, and the astrologers. The king said to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing and makes known its interpretation to me will be clothed with purple and will have a gold chain around his neck. He will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom." 8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known its interpretation to the king. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed and the look on his face changed. His noblemen were perplexed.
10 Now the queen came into the banquet house because of what the king and his nobles had said. The queen said, "King, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you. Do not let the look on your face change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father the king, made him chief of the magicians, as well as chief of those who speak with the dead, of the educated men, and of the astrologers. 12 An excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, explaining of riddles and solving of problems—these qualities were found in this man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now call for Daniel and he will tell you the interpretation."
13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, "You are that Daniel, one of the people of the exiles of Judah, whom my father the king brought out of Judah. 14 I have heard about you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men and those who claim to speak with the dead have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not make known to me the interpretation of the message. 16 I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you will be clothed with purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
17 Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another person. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to you, king, and will tell you the interpretation. 18 As for you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty. 19 Because of the greatness God gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared him. He killed those he wanted to die, and he kept alive those he wished to live. He raised up those he wanted, and he humbled those he wished. 20 But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit was hardened so that he acted presumptuously, he was brought down from his royal throne, and they took away his glory. 21 He was driven away from humanity, he had the mind of an animal, and he lived with the wild donkeys. He ate grass like cattle. His body was wet with the dew from the heavens until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of people and that he sets over them anyone he wishes. 22 You his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23 You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. From his house they brought you the containers that you, your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from, and you praised the idols made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—idols that do not see, hear, or know anything. You have not honored the God who holds your breath in his hand and who knows all your ways. 24 Then God sent out a hand from his presence and this inscription was written.
25 This is the writing that was done: 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Pharsin.'
26 This is the interpretation of the message: 'Mene,' 'God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.'
27 'Tekel,' 'you are weighed in the scales and are found lacking.'
28 'Peres,' 'your kingdom is divided and is given to the Medes and Persians.'"
29 Then Belshazzar gave a command, and they clothed Daniel with purple. A chain of gold was put around his neck, and the king made a proclamation about him that he would have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 30 That night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed, 31 and Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old.
God told the new king that he had failed and God was replacing him, showing that God is the real ruler over everything, even kingdoms that do not worship him.
These are words in Aramaic. Daniel "transliterates" these words by writing them with Hebrew letters, and then he explains their meanings. In the ULB and UDB they are written with English letters. Translators are encouraged to write them using the letters of the target language alphabet.
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father.
"for 1,000"
"he drank wine in the presence of"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the gold or silver containers that the Israelites had made"
These were cups and other items that were small enough for a person to hold and to drink from them.
Here "Nebuchadnezzar" refers to Nebuchadnezzar's army. Alternate translation: "his father Nebuchadnezzar's army" or "the army of Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the gold containers that the army of Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple"
"out of God's temple." The phrase "the house of God" tells us something more about the temple.
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"As soon as they did that" or "Suddenly"
cement or mud that is spread on walls or ceilings to give them a smooth hard surface when it dries
"his face became pale." This was caused by his fear.
"his legs"
This was the result of his extreme fear.
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 2:2.
This phrase translates a word for a group of men whom people thought were wise. See how you translated it in Daniel 2:12.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will give purple clothes and a gold neck chain to whoever reads this writing and makes known its interpretation"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
Purple cloth was rare and reserved for royal officials. Alternate translation: "dressed in royal clothing"
"the number three ruler"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated similar words in [Daniel 5:7]
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father. See how you wrote this name in [Daniel 5:1]
"his face became even more pale." The face of the king grew even more pale than in Daniel 5:6.
unable to understand, confused
Some modern versions understand this to be a reference to the queen mother, that is, to the king's mother. The queen mother received much honor in ancient Babylon.
This was a normal way to greet the king.
"There is no need for your face to look so pale"
The queen believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Nebuchadnezzar worshiped. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 4:8.
"When your father was ruling"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he had light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods"
"Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar"
Or "Chaldeans." This phrase translates a word that refers to a group of men whom people thought had special knowledge. See how you translated this phrase in Daniel 2:2.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "this same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, had all of these qualities"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Then they brought Daniel before the king" or "Then the soldiers brought Daniel before the king"
In this phrase "father" is being used to represent all of the soldiers. Alternate translation: "whom my father's soldiers brought out of Judah"
Belshazzar believed that Daniel's power came from the false gods that Belshazzar worshiped. See how you translated a similar phrase in Daniel 4:8.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you have light and understanding and excellent wisdom"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Now the wise men ... have come in before me"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will give you purple clothes and a gold neck chain"
Purple cloth was rare and reserved for royal officials. Alternate translation: "dressed in royal clothing"
"the number three ruler"
"I do not want your gifts, so"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
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This phrase uses the word "all" as a generalization that represents a large number. Alternate translation: "a great number of people, of different nations and languages"
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated this in [Daniel 3:4]
These words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of the fear. Alternate translation: "were very afraid of him"
King Nebuchadnezzar commanded others to do the killing. He did not do it himself. Alternate translation: "Nebuchadnezzar commanded his soldiers to kill those he wanted to die"
"He raised up those he wanted to raise up"
These words here mean the same thing.
"he humbled those he wished to humble"
Here "heart" refers to the king himself. Alternate translation: "the king was arrogant"
Here "spirit" refers to the king himself. His stubbornness is spoken of as if he were hardened. Alternate translation: "the king became stubborn"
rudely and overly confident
Here the phrase "royal throne" refers to his authority to rule. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people took away his kingdom"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The people chased him away from them"
Here "mind" represents his thoughts. Alternate translation: "he thought as an animal thinks"
the moisture on the ground that is found in the mornings
"whomever he chooses"
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father. See how you wrote this name in [Daniel 5:1]
Here "heart" refers to Belshazzar himself. Alternate translation: "have not humbled yourself"
To rebel against God is spoken of as raising oneself up against him. Alternate translation: "You have rebelled against the Lord"
What and where "his house" is can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "From his temple in Jerusalem"
Here "breath" refers to life and "hand" refers to power or control. Alternate translation: "God who gives you breath" or "God who has control over your entire life"
"everything you do"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "it wrote this message"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "This is the message that the hand wrote"
These are the Aramaic words that were written on the wall. Spell these words with the sounds that fit your language.
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
"'Mene' means 'God has numbered"
"'Tekel' means 'you are weighed"
Judging the worthiness of the king to rule is spoken of as weighing him. This means that the king is not worthy to rule. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has examined your worthiness to rule, and he has found that you are not worthy"
"'Peres' means 'your kingdom."
This is the singular form of "Pharsin" in 5:25.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has divided your kingdom and given it to the Medes and Persians"
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father. See how you wrote this name in [Daniel 5:1]
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "They put a chain of gold around his neck"
"the number three ruler"
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"became the ruler of the kingdom"
"when he was about 62 years old"
1 It seemed good to Darius to appoint over the kingdom 120 provincial governors who would rule over all the kingdom. 2 Over them there were three chief administrators, and Daniel was one of them. These chief administrators were appointed so that they might supervise the provincial governors, so that the king should suffer no loss. 3 Daniel was distinguished above the other chief administrators and the provincial governors because he had an extraordinary spirit. The king was planning to put him over the whole kingdom.
4 Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom, but they could find no corruption or failure in his duty because he was faithful. No mistakes or negligence was found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We cannot find any reason to complain against this Daniel unless we find something against him regarding the law of his God." 6 Then these administrators and governors brought a plan before the king. They said to him, "King Darius, may you live forever! 7 All the chief administrators of the kingdom, the regional governors, and the provincial governors, the advisors, and the governors have consulted together and decided that you, the king, should issue a decree and enforce a prohibition, so that whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, king, that person must be thrown into the den of lions. 8 Now, king, issue the prohibition and sign the document so that it may not be changed, as directed by the law of the Medes and Persians, so it cannot be repealed." 9 So king Darius signed the document, the prohibition.
10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed into law, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem), and he got down on his knees, as he did three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before. 11 Then these men who had formed the plot together saw Daniel make requests and seek favor from God. 12 Then they approached the king and spoke with him about his prohibition: "Did you not make a prohibition that everyone who makes a petition to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, king, must be thrown into the den of lions?" The king answered, "The matter is settled, as directed by the law of the Medes and Persians; it cannot be repealed." 13 Then they replied to the king, "That person Daniel, who is one of the people of the exile from Judah, pays no attention to you, king, or to the prohibition that you have signed. He prays to his God three times a day." 14 When the king heard this, he was terribly distressed, and he applied his mind to rescue Daniel from this ruling. He labored until sunset to try to save Daniel. 15 Then these men who had formed the plot gathered together with the king and said to him, "Know, king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no prohibition or statute that the king issues can be changed."
16 Then the king gave an order, and they brought in Daniel, and they threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you." 17 A stone was brought over the entrance to the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and he went through the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then at daybreak the king got up and he quickly went to the lions' den. 20 As he came near to the den, the king called out to Daniel in a sad voice, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Then said Daniel to the king, "King, live forever! 22 My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me. For I was found blameless before him and also before you, king, and I have done you no harm." 23 Then the king was very happy. He gave an order that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den. No harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 The king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and threw them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the floor, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones to pieces. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that live in all the earth:
"May peace increase for you.
26 I hereby make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God
and lives forever,
and his kingdom will not be destroyed;
his dominion will last to the end.
27 He makes us safe and rescues us,
and he does signs and wonders
in heaven and in earth;
he has kept Daniel safe
from the strength of the lions."
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Some translations set the content of letters farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB does this with the letter in 6:25-27.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in the letter in 6:26-27.
Daniel was thrown into the lions' den for praying to Yahweh, but Yahweh protected him and the lions did not hurt him at all.
The events in this chapter take place after the Persians conquered the Babylonians and Darius the Mede began to rule in Babylon.
"It was pleasing to Darius" or "Darius was pleased"
"one hundred and twenty provincial governors"
The word "them" refers to the 120 provincial governors.
"so that nothing should be stolen from the king" or "so that no one would steal anything from the king"
"excelled above" or "was more capable than"
Here "spirit" refers to Daniel. It means he had was unusually capable. Alternate translation: "he was and exceptional person"
spirit that made him do better than the others
"to give him authority over" or "to put him in charge of"
The other administrators were jealous of Daniel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors became jealous. So they looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "They could find no mistakes or negligence in his work"
overly looking your responsibilities
"to complain about Daniel"
"presented a plan to the king"
This was a normal way to greet a king.
A "prohibition" always only tells people what they cannot do, but a "decree" can permit people to do things.
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." Alternate translation: "use force to prohibit people from doing what they have been doing" or "force people to stop doing what they have been doing"
"for 30 days"
"whoever makes a request"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "your soldiers must throw that person into the den of lions"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept.
In verse 8, the administrators continue to speak to the king.
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." See how you translated "prohibition" in [Daniel 6:7]
"according to the law"
"cannot be canceled"
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." See how you translated "prohibition" in [Daniel 6:7]
It is important to the story to state clearly that Daniel knew about the new law before he prayed to God.
This is background information that explains how Daniel's enemies knew he was praying to God.
"gave thanks to his God"
a plan with evil intent
They asked this rhetorical question to make the king confirm that he had made the prohibition. Alternate translation: "You know and we know that you made a prohibition ... lions."
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." See how you translated "prohibition" in [Daniel 6:7]
"who makes a request"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept. See how you translated this in Daniel 6:7.
"according to the law"
This is not a respectful way of referring to Daniel. They intentionally used this phrase to avoid giving Daniel the respect he was due as a chief administrator.
"who is one of the exiles from Judah" or "who is an exile from Judah"
This idiom means he ignores the king. Alternate translation: "does not obey you"
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." See how you translated "prohibition" in [Daniel 6:7]
Here "mind" refers to his thinking. Alternate translation: "he thought very hard about how"
This refers to mental labor, rather than to physical labor.
The abstract noun "prohibition" can be translated as the verb "prohibit." See how you translated "prohibition" in [Daniel 6:7]
The men were implying that since no decree or statute of the king can be changed, Daniel must be thrown into the pit of lions. This can be stated clearly if needed. Alternate translation: "no prohibition ... can be changed. Someone must throw Daniel into the pit of lions"
"his soldiers went and got Daniel"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept. See how you translated this in Daniel 6:7.
The king is expressing his desire for God to save Daniel.
"save you from the lions"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept. See how you translated this in Daniel 6:7.
The function of the signet ring can be stated clearly. The king and the noblemen pressed their rings into a seal made of wax. Alternate translation: "the king pressed his signet ring into a wax seal, the nobles did this too. No one was allowed to break the seal and help Daniel"
"no one could help Daniel"
This symbolic act showed that the king was worried about Daniel.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He did not have anyone entertain him"
Sleep is spoken of as if it could run away from the king. Alternate translation: "he did not sleep at all that night"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept. See how you translated this in Daniel 6:7.
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This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He knows that I have done nothing wrong"
"I have not harmed you at all"
This may refer to a room or pit where lions were kept. See how you translated this in Daniel 6:7.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "They did not find any wounds on Daniel"
"Before they reached the floor of the lions' den"
"crushed their bones"
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated this in [Daniel 3:4]
King Darius wrote his message to his entire kingdom which was huge. Here it says "all the earth" as a generalization to emphasis how large his kingdom was, though it did not include everyone on the earth. Alternate translation: "in his kingdom"
This is a form of greeting that is used to wish someone well in all areas of life.
This continues to state the message that Darius sent to everyone in his kingdom.
These two words are similar and can be combined. Alternate translation: "shake with fear"
"the God that Daniel worships"
The two phrases "the living God" and "lives forever" express the same concept, that God lives forever.
These two phrases are parallel, emphasizing how God's kingdom will never end.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one will destroy his kingdom" or "his kingdom will last forever"
"he will rule forever"
"he has not allowed the strong lions to hurt Daniel"
Cyrus the Persian was the king who ruled after Darius.
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylonia, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind while lying on his bed. Then he wrote down what he had seen in the dream. He wrote down the most important events: 2 Daniel explained, "In my vision at night I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 Four large animals, each one different from the other, came up out of the sea. 4 The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. As I was looking, its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground and made to stand on two feet, like a man. The mind of a man was given to it. 5 Then there was a second animal, like a bear, and it was bending over; it had three ribs between its teeth in its mouth. It was told, 'Get up and devour many people.' 6 After this I looked again. There was another animal, one that looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings like bird wings, and it had four heads. It was given authority to rule. 7 After this I saw in the visions of the night a fourth animal, terrifying, frightening, and very strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled underfoot what was left. It was different from the other animals, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was considering the horns, I looked and saw another horn grow up among them, a little horn. Three of the first horns were wrenched out by the roots. I saw in this horn eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that was boasting about great things.
9 As I looked,
thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow,
and the hair of his head was like pure wool.
His throne was flames of fire,
and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A river of fire
flowed out from before him;
millions served him,
and one hundred million were standing before him.
The court was in session,
and the books were opened.
11 I continued to look because of the sound of the boastful words spoken by the horn. I watched while the animal was killed, and its body was destroyed, and it was given over to be burned up. 12 As for the rest of the four animals, their authority to rule was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a period of time.
13 In my visions that night,
I saw one coming with the clouds of heaven like a son of man;
he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 Authority to rule and glory and royal power were given to him
so that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.
His authority to rule is an everlasting authority that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved inside of me, and the visions I saw in my mind troubled me. 16 I approached one of them standing there and asked him to show me the interpretation of these things. 17 'These large animals, four in number, are four kings that will arise from the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will possess it forever and ever.' 19 Then I wanted to know more about the fourth animal—it was so different from the others and very horrifying with its iron teeth and bronze claws; it devoured, broke into pieces, and trampled on what was left with its feet. 20 I wanted to know about the ten horns on its head, and about the other horn that grew up, and before which the three horns fell down. I wanted to know about the horn that had eyes and about the mouth that boasted about great things and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy people and was defeating them 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and justice was given to the holy people of the Most High. Then the time came when the holy people took possession of the kingdom.
23 This is what that person said, 'As for the fourth animal,
it will be a fourth kingdom on earth
that will be different from all the other kingdoms.
It will devour the whole earth,
and it will trample it down
and break it into pieces.
24 As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings will arise,
and another will arise after them.
He will be different from the previous ones,
and he will subdue the three kings.
25 He will speak words against the Most High
and will oppress the holy people of the Most High God.
He will try to change the festivals and the law.
These things will be given into his hand
for one year, two years, and half a year.
26 But the court will be in session,
and they will take his royal power away
to be consumed and destroyed at the end.
27 The kingdom and the dominion,
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
will be given to the people
who belong to the holy people of the Most High.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and all other kingdoms will serve and obey him.'
28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me and my face changed in appearance. But I kept these things to myself."
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 7:9-10, 13-14, and 23-27.
There will be four successive kingdoms before Yahweh sets up his eternal kingdom. (See: eternity)
God will give the Son of Man an eternal kingdom and he will judge people from the books. (See: sonofman and judge)
Chapters 7 and 8 are not in chronological order. They happened while Belshazzar was still the king, before the rule of Darius and Cyrus that was discussed in chapter 6. In Daniel's vision, he saw animals that were symbols of other things. Later in the vision someone explains the meaning of those symbols.
This was the name of Nebuchadnezzar's son, who became king after him. See how you wrote this name in Daniel 5:1.
The words "dream" and "visions" both refer to the same dream that is described in this chapter. Alternate translation: "visions while he was dreaming"
"winds from everywhere" or "strong winds from all four directions"
"whipped up" or "agitated" or "caused high waves in"
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This was a symbolic creature, and not an animal that exists.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "someone tore off its wings and lifted it up from the ground and made it stand on two feet like a human being"
Here "mind" refers to thinking. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Someone gave it the ability to think like a human being"
This was not an actual bear, but a symbolic animal that was similar to a bear.
large curved bones of the chest that connect to the spine
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Someone told it"
This was not an actual leopard, but a symbolic animal that was similar to a leopard.
The four wings and four heads are symbols, but their meaning is unclear.
"the animal had four heads"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Someone gave it authority to rule"
This is also not an actual animal. It is a symbolic creature.
"walked on and crushed"
Daniel continues to describe his vision of the fourth animal that the saw in Daniel 7:7.
Translators may write a footnote like this: "Horns are a symbol of power and represent powerful leaders."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The little horn tore out three of the first horns"
Here the horn was boasting, using its mouth to do so. Alternate translation: "the horn had a mouth and boasted about doing great things"
Most of the text of verses 9-14 is symbolic language with parallel lines that have similar meaning. For this reason, the ULB and UDB present them in poetic form.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "someone set thrones in their places"
This is a title for God that means he is eternal. Alternate translation: "the One Who Has Lived Forever" or "the One Who Has Always Lived"
This passage describes God as sitting down, with clothing and hair like a person. This does not mean that God really is like this, but it is how Daniel saw God in a vision.
This is an idiom that means he sat down. Alternate translation: "sat down on his throne"
His clothing is compared to snow to show that it was very white. Alternate translation: "His clothing was very white"
Something about God's hair looked like pure wool. Possible meanings are that 1) it was very white or 2) it was thick and curly.
"clean wool" or "wool that is washed"
This describes the throne of God and its wheels as if they were made of fire. The words "flames" and "burning fire" mean basically the same thing and can be translated the same way.
It is unclear why God's throne is described as having wheels. Thrones normally do not have wheels, but the text clearly states that this throne has some kind of wheels. Use a general term for "wheels" if possible.
Daniel continues to describe his vision of the court in heaven and the response to the fourth animal that he saw in [Daniel 7:7]
The quick way in which fire came from the presence of God is spoken of as if it was water flowing in a river. Alternate translation: "Fire poured out in front of him like water in a river"
The word "him" refers to God, the Ancient of Days from Daniel 7:9.
This probably refers to a large group rather than to a precise number. Alternate translation: "thousands of thousands" or "great numbers of people"
This probably refers to a large group rather than to a precise number. Alternate translation: "tens of thousands times tens of thousands" or "uncountable numbers of people"
This means that God, the judge, was ready to investigate the evidence and make his judgment. Alternate translation: "The judge was ready to judge" or "The judge was seated"
These are the books that contain the evidence to be used in court. Alternate translation: "the books of evidence were opened"
Daniel continues to describe his vision of the court in heaven and the response to the fourth animal that he saw in Daniel 7:7.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they killed the fourth animal, destroyed its body, and gave it to someone to burn it up"
The animal was killed because the judge determined that it was guilty. Alternate translation: "they executed the animal" or "the judge commanded and they killed the animal"
This refers to the fourth animal that had the ten horns and the horn that spoke boastfully. Alternate translation: "the most frightening animal" or "the animal that had the boastful horn"
It may be clearer to say, "the other three animals."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the judge took away their authority to rule" or "their authority to rule ended"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they continued to live for a period of time" or "the judge let them live a little longer"
Most of the text of verses 9-14 is symbolic language with parallel lines that have similar meaning. For this reason, the ULB presents them in poetic form.
The person that Daniel saw was not a normal man, but had a human figure like a man. "I also saw that night someone coming who resembled a son of man, that is, he had a human figure"
"with the clouds of the sky"
This refers to God who is eternal. See how you translated this title in Daniel 7:9
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they presented this son of man to the Ancient of Days" or "he stood before him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The one who looked like a son of man received authority to rule, glory, and royal power"
This, here, refers to "authority."
Here "nations" and "languages" represent people from different nations who speak different languages. See how you translated this in [Daniel 3:4]
These two phrases mean the same thing.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that no one will ever destroy"
These two phrases describe how Daniel was feeling. The second one gives more information about the first one, explaining about his grieved spirit.
Here "my spirit" refers to Daniel himself. Alternate translation: "I was very sad inside"
This is one of the heavenly beings who were standing before God's throne. Possible meanings 1) these are angels, spirits who serve God 2) these are people who have died and are now in heaven.
"to tell me" or "to explain to me"
The abstract noun "interpretation" can be translated as a verb. See how you translated it in [Daniel 2:4]
"the things I had seen"
"These four large animals"
"represent four kings"
Here "from the earth" means they are real people. Alternate translation: "four kings who will come to power on the earth" or "four men who will rise up from among the people of the earth and become kings"
"they will rule over it"
This repetition of ideas emphasizes that this kingdom will never come to an end.
"very frightening"
"walked on and crushed"
"the ten horns on the head of the fourth animal"
"grew up, and about the three horns that fell down in front of it" or "grew up, and about the three horns that fell down because of it"
Here "fell down" is a euphemism that means they were destroyed." Alternate translation: "which destroyed the three horns"
"its mouth that boasted" or "the mouth of the new horn, that boasted"
the horn with the eyes and a mouth seemed to be greater than the other horns
"this fourth horn." This refers to the horn that is described in Daniel 7:20.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "until the Ancient of Days came and brought justice"
This is a title for God that emphasizes that he is eternal. See how you translated this title in Daniel 7:9.
Most of the text of verses 23-27 is symbolic language. For this reason, the ULB presents them in poetic form.
This is the person that Daniel approached in Daniel 7:16.
"that person answered"
"Concerning the fourth animal" or "Now, about the fourth animal"
This does not mean the fourth kingdom will destroy the planet, but that it will brutally attack, conquer, and destroy all other kingdoms on earth.
"Concerning the ten horns" or "Now, about the ten horns"
They will rule one after the other. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "ten kings will rule over this fourth kingdom, one after another"
This other king is not one of the ten. It may be helpful to refer to him as "the eleventh king." Alternate translation: "after that an eleventh king will become powerful"
"He will be different from the other ten kings"
He will defeat three of the original ten kings. It may be helpful to state that those three kings are represented by the three horns that were pulled out. Alternate translation: "he will defeat the three kings that were represented by the three horns that were pulled out"
The man in Daniel's vision continues talking to Daniel. Most of the text of verses 23-27 is symbolic language. For this reason, the ULB presents them in poetic form.
This means that the newest king will openly disagree with and say bad things about the Most High.
The words "He" and "his" refer to the newest king, not the Most High.
"God's holy people"
Both terms refer to the law of Moses. The festivals were an important part of the religion of Israel in the Old Testament.
Here "his hand" refers to his control. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The newest king will control the religous festivals and laws"
This means "three and half years." This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. Try to translate it in a way that preserves this way of counting. Alternate translation: "one year plus two years plus six months"
This means that the judge will be ready to investigate evidence and make his judgment. Alternate translation: "the judge will judge" or "The judge will sit down"
"the members of the court will take the royal power away from the newest king"
This, here, refers to "authority." See how you translated this in Daniel 7:14.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "and consume and destroy it in the end" or "and completely destroy his royal power in the end"
The man in Daniel's vision continues talking to Daniel. Most of the text of verses 23-27 is symbolic language. For this reason, the ULB presents them in poetic form.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will give the kingdom and the dominion ... to the people"
These two terms mean basically the same thing and emphasize that this will concern all forms of official authority.
The abstract noun "greatness" can be translated with the adjective "great." Alternate translation: "everything that is great about the kingdoms"
The idiom "under the whole heaven" refers to the kingdoms on earth. Alternate translation: "of all the kingdoms on earth"
"The kingdom of the Most High"
"a kingdom that will exist forever" or "a kingdom that will never end"
This means that Daniel has finished describing the vision. Alternate translation: "That is what I saw in my vision" or "This is the end of the description of what I saw in my vision"
"my face became pale"
1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, I, Daniel, had a vision appear to me (after the one that appeared to me at first). 2 I saw in the vision, as I was looking, that I was in the fortress of Susa in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up and saw before me a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal. One horn was longer than the other, but the longer one grew more slowly than the shorter and was passed up in length by it. 4 I saw the ram pushing west, then north, and then south; no other animal could stand before him. None of them was able to rescue anyone out of his hand. He did whatever he wanted, and he became great.
5 As I was thinking about this, I saw a male goat come from the west, who went across the surface of the whole earth, running fast, not seeming to touch the ground. The goat had a large horn between his eyes. 6 He came to the ram who had two horns—I had seen the ram standing on the bank of the canal—and the goat rushed toward the ram in a powerful rage. 7 I saw the goat come close to the ram. He was very angry at the ram, and he hit the ram and broke off its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand before him. The goat knocked him down to the ground and trampled on him. There was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. 8 Then the goat became very large. But when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in its place four other large horns grew up that pointed toward the four winds of the heavens.
9 Out of one of them grew another horn, little at first, but which grew exceedingly large toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It became so large as to engage in war with the army of heaven. Some of that army and some of the stars were thrown down to the earth, and it trampled on them. 11 It made itself to be as great as the commander of the army. It took away from him the regular burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was polluted. 12 Because of rebellion, the army will be given over to the goat's horn, and the burnt offering will be stopped. The horn will throw truth down to the ground, and it will succeed in what it does. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one answering him, "How long will these things last, this vision about the burnt offering, the sin that brings destruction, the handing over of the sanctuary, and heaven's army being trampled on?" 14 He said to me, "It will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings. After that the sanctuary will be restored."
15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. Then there stood before me one who looked like a man. 16 I heard a man's voice calling between the banks of the Ulai Canal. He said, "Gabriel, help this man understand the vision." 17 So he came near where I stood. When he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end." 18 When he spoke to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, "See, I will make known to you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time for the end. 20 As for the ram you saw, the one that had two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The male goat is the king of Greece. The large horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 As for the horn that was broken, in the place of which four others arose—four kingdoms will arise from his nation, but not with his great power. 23 At the latter time of those kingdoms, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a grim-faced king, one who is very intelligent, will arise. 24 His power will be mighty—but not by his own power. He will be amazing in what he destroys; he will act and succeed. He will destroy mighty ones and the holy people. 25 By his craftiness he will make deceit prosper under his hand. He will become great in his own mind. He will unexpectedly destroy many people. He will even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he will be broken, but not by any human hand. 26 The vision about the evenings and mornings that has been told is true. But seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future." 27 Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay weak for several days. Then I got up, and went about the king's business. But I was astounded by the vision, and there was no one who understood it.
Although specific interpretation of this vision is not given, most scholars believe Daniel saw Greece overthrowing Media-Persia before breaking up into four kingdoms. One of these kingdoms stopped the temple worship for a while and then it was restored. (See: temple and restore)
Chapters 7 and 8 are not in chronological order. They happened while Belshazzar was still the king, before the rule of Darius and Cyrus that was discussed in chapter 6. In Daniel's vision, he saw animals that were symbols of other things. Later in the vision someone explains the meaning of those symbols.
"In year three"
This is the son of Nebuchadnezzar who became king after his father. See how you translated this name in Daniel 5:1.
This is background information to remind the reader that this is Daniel's second vision. Alternate translation: "had a second vision appear to me"
a walled city that was guarded and protected
These are names of places.
A canal is a narrow man-made waterway.
It is normal for rams to have two horns. These horns, however, have symbolic meaning.
"but the longer one grew more slowly than the shorter one, and the shorter one grew to be even longer than it"
"I saw the ram using its head to push things out of its way" or "I saw the ram running very quickly"
Rams do not have hands. Here "hand" refers to the ram's power. Alternate translation: "to rescue anyone from him" or "to rescue anyone from his power"
The phrase "the whole earth" is an exaggeration that means he came from far away. Alternate translation: "from far away across the surface of the land"
Goats have two horns on the sides of their heads. This image should be explained. Alternate translation: "The goat had a single large horn in the center of his head"
"and it was very angry"
to crush something by stepping on it
"the ram from the goat because of his power"
"the goat became very large and strong"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "something broke off the large horn"
Here "the four winds of heaven" is an idiom that refers to the four main directions
"but which became very large" or "but which pointed itself toward." This is probably a metonym for the goat, which is a metaphor for a king or nation, ruling powerfully over the lands to the south and east and over the Beautiful Land.
Here the horn is given qualities of a person and is engaging in war.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: The horn threw some of that army and some of the stars down to the earth"
Here the horn is given qualities of a person that tramples on the stars and on the army.
The horn is given qualities of a person.
Daniel continues describing his vision of the horn (Daniel 8:9).
This refers to God himself, who is the leader of the angel army.
Here "took away" means the horn stopped the offering. Here "him" refers to God, the commander of the army. Alternate translation: "It stopped the people from making their regular burnt offering to him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "it defiled his sanctuary"
The horn ignoring truth and godliness is spoken of as if it will throw truth to the ground. Alternate translation: "The horn will reject the truth"
"angel"
"the surrender of the sanctuary"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the horn trampling on heaven's army"
"Two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings." Here "evenings and mornings" is a merism that refers to everything in between, which means full days. Alternate translation: "2,300 sunsets and sunrises" or "2,300 days"
"the temple will be purified and set in order again"
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Here a man is being referred to by his voice. Alternate translation: "a man calling from the Ulai Canal"
A canal is a narrow man-made waterway. See how you translated this name in Daniel 8:2.
This is an act of worship in which someone lies flat on the ground.
"the final days" or "the end of the world." This does not refer to the final moment in time, but rather to the events that will happen immediately before the end.
This is a type of sleep when someone is sleeping heavily and does not wake up easily.
This refers to the time when God will judge. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "the time when God judges in anger"
"the time when the world will end"
In these verses, the angel explains to Daniel the symbolic meaning of the things he saw in his vision. The animals and horns actually represent human rulers and kingdoms.
"two horns—they represent"
These words could either 1) refer to the literal kings of Media and Persia or 2) be a metonym in which the kings represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. Alternate translation: "the kingdoms of Media and Persia"
These words could be 1) a literal reference to the king of Greece or 2) a metonym for the kingdom of Greece. Alternate translation: "the kingdom of Greece"
"The large horn between his eyes represents"
In these verses, the angel explains to Daniel the symbolic meaning of the things he saw in his vision. The animals and horns actually represented human rulers or kingdoms.
"Where the large horn was broken off, four others arose"
The four horns represent the four new kingdoms. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "they represent the four kingdoms into which the kingdom of the first king will be divided"
"but they will not have as much power as the king represented by the large horn"
"As those kingdoms approach their end"
"have reached their full" or "have run their course"
This means someone who looks defiant, or like he will refuse to obey.
In these verses, the angel explains to Daniel the symbolic meaning of the things he saw in his vision. The animals and horns actually represented human rulers or kingdoms.
"but someone else will give him his power"
Here "deceit" is spoken of as if it is a person who will prosper. Alternate translation: "the amount of deception will increase"
Here "hand" refers to his rule. Alternate translation: "under his rule"
"the mightiest prince" or "the prince who rules over all other princes." Most English versions capitalize the word "Prince" because the phrase probably refers either to God or to a man whom God appoints to rule.
Here "he" refers to his power. Alternate translation: "his rule will end"
Here "hand" refers to power. This can be also stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "not by any human power" or "by divine power"
The angel continues to instruct Daniel about the visions that Daniel saw.
The angel speaks about the vision as if it were a scroll that could be closed with a wax seal. This prevented anyone from seeing the contents until the seal was broken. Alternate translation: "close and seal up what you have written about the vision" or "do not tell anyone about the vision now"
"was exhausted and lay in bed sick for several days"
"did the work that the king had assigned to me"
"I was dismayed by the vision" or "I was very confused by the vision"
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus [1] —a descendant of the Medes, who had been made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of Darius' reign, I, Daniel, was studying the books containing Yahweh's word, the word that had come to Jeremiah the prophet. I observed that there would be seventy years until Jerusalem's desolations would end.
3 I turned my face to the Lord God, to seek him with prayer and humble requests, with fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes. 4 I prayed to Yahweh my God, and I made confession of our sins. I said, "I beg you, Lord—you are the great and awesome God—you are the one who keeps the covenant and is faithful to love those who love you and keep your commandments. 5 We have sinned and have done what is wrong. We have acted wickedly and we have rebelled, turning aside from your commands and decrees. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets who spoke in your name to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, Lord, belongs righteousness. To us today, however, belongs shame on our faces—for the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem, and to all Israel. This includes those who are near and those who are far away in all the lands where you scattered them. This is because of the faithless deeds that we committed against you. 8 To us, Yahweh, belongs shame on our faces—to our kings, to our leaders, and to our ancestors—because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God by walking in his laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. The curse and oath that are written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, for we have sinned against him. 12 Yahweh has confirmed the words that he spoke against us and against our rulers over us, by bringing on us a great disaster. For under the whole of heaven there has not been done anything that could compare with what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not begged for mercy from Yahweh our God by turning away from our iniquities and paying attention to your truth. 14 Therefore Yahweh has kept the disaster ready and has brought it on us, for Yahweh our God is righteous in all the deeds he does, yet we have not obeyed his voice. 15 Now, Lord our God, you brought out your people from the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and you have made a famous name for yourself, as in this present day. But still we sinned; we have done wicked things. 16 Lord, because of all your righteous deeds, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because of our sins, and because of the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become an object of mockery to all those around us. 17 Now, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his humble requests; for your sake, Lord, make your face shine on your sanctuary that is desolate. 18 My God, incline your ears and listen; open your eyes and see. We have been devastated; look at the city that is called by your name. We do not bring our humble requests to you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, pay attention and take action! For your own sake, do not delay, my God, for your city and your people are called by your name."
20 While I was speaking—praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my humble request before Yahweh my God on behalf of God's holy mountain— 21 while I was praying, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, flew down to me in rapid flight, at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He gave me understanding and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 When you began presenting your humble requests, the order was given and I have come to tell you the answer, for you are precious. Therefore consider this word and understand the revelation.
24 Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to end the guilt and put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring everlasting righteousness, to carry out the vision and the prophecy, and to consecrate the most holy place. 25 Know and understand that from the issuing of the order to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of the anointed one (who will be a leader), there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and a moat, despite the times of distress. 26 After the sixty-two sevens, the anointed one will be destroyed and will have nothing. The army of a coming ruler will destroy the city and the holy place. Its end will come with a flood, and there will be war even to the end. Desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven. In the middle of the seven he will put an end to the sacrifice and the offering. On the wing of abominations will come someone who makes desolate until the complete destruction that has been decreed is poured out on the one who has made the desolation."
Gabriel told Daniel a prophecy that Jerusalem would be rebuilt. Then later an anointed person would be killed and the worship at the temple stopped. (See: prophet and anoint and temple)
This passage uses the expressions "seventy sevens of years," "seven sevens and sixty-two sevens," and "sixty-two sevens of years" to denote "490 years," "49 years and then 434 years," and "434 years," respectively. The original language uses the idea of a "week" to express the idea of a group of sevens, but these numbers are clearly meant to denote years, not weeks. Most translators should use the ways normal in their languages to express these numbers.
Chapters 7 and 8 were not in chronological order. They happened while Belshazzar was still the king. Chapter 9 now returns to the events of the reign of Darius who became king in chapter 6.
This is background information about who Ahasuerus was. The UDB places this in parentheses to make that clear.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who became king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans" or "who conquered the Chaldeans"
Or "over the country"
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
"from the time Jerusalem was destroyed, it would remain in ruins for 70 years"
Here "face" represents Daniel's attention. Alternate translation: "I focused my attention on the Lord God" or "I directed my thoughts toward the Lord God"
Those who want to know Yahweh and please him are spoken of as if they are literally seeking to find Yahweh.
These are symbolic acts of repentance and sorrow.
"I confessed our sins"
This phrase translates a word that shows that the speaker is helpless and is begging the hearer to act. If your language has another word or phrase for this purpose, you may want to use it here.
"you do what what you said you would do in your covenant, and you faithfully love those"
Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.
These two phrases express one idea in two different ways for emphasis.
These two phrases express one idea in two different ways for emphasis.
The words "commands" and "decrees" share similar meanings and refer to the whole law.
Here "not listened" means they did not obey their message. Alternate translation: "We have not obeyed the message of your prophets"
Here "name" refers to God's authority. Alternate translation: "spoke with your authority" or "spoke as your representative"
Here "land" refers to Israel. Alternate translation: "the Israelite people"
Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.
Being righteous is spoken of as if "righteousness" were an object that belongs to Yahweh. The abstract noun "righteousness" can be stated as "righteous." Alternate translation: "Lord, you are righteous"
Being ashamed is spoken of as if "shame" were an object that belongs to people. The abstract noun "shame" can be stated as "ashamed." Alternate translation: "But as for us, we are ashamed of what we have done—the people"
The word "us" includes Daniel and the Israelites, but it does not include God.
This idiom means their shame is visible to all.
"because we were very unfaithful to you"
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Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.
Having these traits is spoken of as if they belonged to the Lord. Alternate translation: "The Lord our God is compassionate and forgives"
Here "voice" refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: "We have not obeyed what Yahweh told us to do"
The words "turned aside" mean that Israel stopped obeying God's laws.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that Moses wrote about in the law"
The abundance of the curse and the oath are spoken of as if they were poured out like water. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you have brought upon us"
Daniel continues praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "For in the whole world"
"nothing has been done." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "nothing has happened"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what you have done to Jerusalem"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As Moses wrote in the law"
Here stopping evil activity is spoken of as turning away from them. Alternate translation: "stopping our evil actions"
"Yahweh has prepared this disaster"
Here "voice" refers to the things that Yahweh commanded. Alternate translation: "we have not done what he told us to do"
Here "mighty hand" is a metonym for strength. Alternate translation: "with great strength"
"you caused people to know how great you are, as you still do today"
These two clauses mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize how bad sin is.
Daniel and Israel sinned and did wicked things, but "we" does not include God.
The words "anger" and "wrath" mean basically the same thing and emphasize how terrible God's anger is when he acts on it.
This mountain may be holy because God's temple is there. Alternate translation: "the mountain where your holy temple is"
Here "our" refers to Daniel and Israel, but not to God.
"something that people will mock" or "something for which people will mock us"
This does not mean "at this moment", but it is a way to show that the next phase in Daniel's prayer is about to start.
The words "your servant" and "his" here refer to Daniel. He speaks about himself in the third person as a sign of respect for God.
The writer speaks of Yahweh acting favorably as if Yahweh's face shone a light. Alternate translation: "act kindly toward" or "act with favor toward"
This refers to the temple in Jerusalem.
These two phrases means the same thing and emphasize Daniel's desire for God to listen to his prayer. Alternate translation: "listen very carefully" or "pay close attention"
To "incline the ear" is to lean toward the speaker so as to better hear the words. This is a metaphor for listening carefully and paying attention. Alternate translation: "listen carefully" or "pay attention"
To "open the eyes" is an idiom that means to see. These two phrases means the same thing and emphasize Daniel's desire for God to pay attention to his prayer. Alternate translation: "notice us" or "pay attention"
Here "name" represents ownership. Alternate translation: "is your city" or "belongs to you"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "act quickly"
"the people of Israel to whom I belong"
This is the same angel Gabriel who appeared in the form of a man in [Daniel 8:16]
This may refer to the first vision that Daniel had while he was awake. Alternate translation: "in the previous vision" or "in the vision I saw before" or "in a vision before"
"flew down to me quickly"
The Jewish people sacrificed to God each evening just before the sun went down.
The words "insight" and "understanding" mean the same thing and emphasize that Gabriel will help Daniel to understand the message completely.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God gave the order"
"you are precious to God" or "God loves you very much"
"think about this message"
This refers back to the prophesy of Jeremiah in Daniel 9:2.
God decreed that he would do the things in this verse for the people and the holy city.
This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. Alternate translation: "Seventy times seven years"
The word "your" here refers to Daniel. The people are the Israelites and the holy city is Jerusalem.
The idea is repeated to emphasize how certain it is that this will happen.
Here "carry out" is an idiom that means to accomplish. Alternate translation: "to accomplish the vision"
These words in this context mean the same thing. They ensure Daniel that Jeremiah's vision was indeed a prophecy.
This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. Alternate translation: "seven times seven years ... and sixty-two times seven years"
These words are used together to make the importance clear. Alternate translation: "You must clearly understand" or "You must know for sure"
Anointing is a symbolic act to show that someone is chosen. Alternate translation: "the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses"
These added together are 69 of the 70 sevens spoken of in verse 24.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will rebuild Jerusalem"
a deep ditch around a city or building, usually with water in it
"a time of great trouble"
This is not the normal way the Israelites counted. If possible, try to translate in a way that preserves this use of the number seven. See how you translated this number in Daniel 9:25. Alternate translation: "sixty-two times seven"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people will destroy the anointed one and he will have nothing"
Anointing is a symbolic act to show that someone is chosen. See how you translated this title in Daniel 9:25. Alternate translation: "the person that God anoints" or "the person that God chooses"
This is a foreign ruler, not "the anointed one." Alternate translation: "a foreign ruler who will come" or "a powerful ruler who will come"
The army will destroy the city and the holy place just as a flood destroys things.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has decreed ruin for the city and sanctuary" or "God has declared that the enemy army will destroy everything"
This refers to the coming ruler who will destroy the anointed one.
Here "seven" is used to refer to a period of seven years. Alternate translation: "seven years ... Halfway through the seven years"
"stop" or "halt"
These words basically mean the same thing. The repetition is to show that the ruler will prevent all types of sacrifices. Alternate translation: "all forms of sacrificing" or "every type of offering"
This may refer to the defensive structures on top of the walls of the temple, which are called "abominations" because they are full of idols. Alternate translation: "the walls of the temple that are full of abominations"
"a person who completely destroys"
The abstract noun "destruction" can be translated using the verb "destroy." Here God completely destroying a person is spoken of as if God were pouring a liquid on that person. The phrases "has been decreed" and "is poured out" can be translated using active form. Alternate translation: "God, just as he said he would, completely destroys the one who made the desolation "
The abstract noun "desolation" can be translated using a verb or an adjective. You may need to make explicit that Daniel is speaking of the "desolation" of the holy place in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "the person who made the holy place desolate" or "the person who destroyed the holy place"
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. This message was true. It was about a great conflict. Daniel understood the message when he had insight from the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was in mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, I ate no meat, I drank no wine, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the completion of three entire weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was beside the great river (that is, the Tigris), 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen, with a belt around his waist made of pure gold from Uphaz. 6 His body was like topaz, and his face was like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches, and his arms and his feet were like polished bronze. The sound of his words was like the sound of a great crowd. 7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision. However, a great terror came on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; my bright appearance was turned into a ruined look, and no strength remained in me. 9 Then I heard his words—and as I heard them, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 A hand touched me, and it made me tremble in my knees and the palms of my hands. 11 The angel said to me, "Daniel, precious man, understand the words that I am speaking to you. Stand upright, for I have been sent to you." When he had spoken this message to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me, and I was kept there with the kings of Persia for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. [1]14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days. For the vision is for days yet to come." 15 While he was speaking to me using these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was unable to speak. 16 One who was like the sons of man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and spoke to him who stood before me: "My master, I am in agony because of the vision; I have no strength left. 17 I am your servant. How can I talk with my master? For I now have no strength, and there is no breath left in me."
18 Again the one with an appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 He said, "Do not be afraid, precious man. May peace be to you! Be strong now, be strong!" While he was speaking to me, I was strengthened. I said, "Let my master speak, for you have strengthened me." 20 He said, "Do you know why I have come to you? I will soon return to fight against the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. There is no one who shows himself to be strong with me against them, except Michael your prince.
This chapter begins a section where Daniel is given a prophecy about the future from an angel. This section continues for the remainder of the book. (See: prophet)
"year 3 of the rule of Cyrus the king of Persia"
This can also be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "God revealed a message to Daniel"
the ability to understand more than what can be seen
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These are expensive or rare kinds of food. Alternate translation: "fancy foods"
"until the end of three entire weeks"
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fourth day is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
"and he was wearing a belt"
Uphaz is a place. Its location is not known
His body gleamed with blue or yellow light as if it were made of topaz. Alternate translation: "his body gleamed like topaz"
a blue or yellow gemstone, also known as beryl, peridot, or chrysolite
His face shone brightly as a bolt of lightning shines. Alternate translation: "his face shone with light as bright as the flash of lightning"
His eyes were bright with light as if they were flaming torches. Alternate translation: "his eyes were so bright that it seemed they had torches burning inside them"
His arms and feet were as shiny as if they were made of polished bronze. Alternate translation: "his arms and feet shone like polished bronze that reflects the light around it"
His voice was so loud that it was as if a crowd of people were all talking loudly. Alternate translation: "his voice was as loud as a huge crowd all calling out together"
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This can be stated in active form. "No one was with me, and I saw"
This can be stated in active form. "my bright appearance turned into looking ruined"
This describes the face of someone who is healthy. Alternate translation: "my healthy-looking face"
Someone's unhealthy, pale face is spoken of as if it were a ruined building. Alternate translation: "pale"
Possible meanings are: 1) Daniel was so scared by what he saw that he deliberately lay on the ground, where he then fainted or 2) Daniel fainted and then fell forward onto the ground.
Here a person's hand represents that person, probably the man whom Daniel saw in [Daniel 10:5]
"Daniel, you who are precious to God"
"you determined to understand the vision"
This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "God heard your words"
Here this refers to a spirit who has authority over a human nation. Alternate translation: "spirit prince"
This probably refers to the various kings who ruled over nations in the Persian Empire, and who had to obey the king of Persia.
"Michael, on of the chief angels" or "Michael, one of the archangels"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
"I looked at the ground." Daniel may have done this to show humble reverence, or because he was afraid.
This may refer to the one who had just spoken to Daniel. However, some versions interpret it as referring to a different person. Alternate translation: "This one, who looked like a human"
Here this expression refers to human beings in general. Alternate translation: "like a human being"
severe emotional suffering
Daniel asks this question meaning that he cannot speak to the angel because he is not the angel's equal. These sentences can be combined. Alternate translation: "I am not able to answer you because I am only your servant"
This idiom refers to breathing. Alternate translation: "I cannot breathe" or "it's very hard to breathe"
"the one who looked like a human"
The words "be strong" are repeated for emphasis.
"you who are precious to God"
This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I became strong"
Here "prince" refers to a spirit who rules and guards a human nation. See how you translated a similar phrase in Daniel 10:13. Alternate translation: "the spirit prince of Persia"
This implies that the angel will tell Daniel about this immediately, before he goes away. Alternate translation: "But first I will tell you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what the Book of Truth says" or "what someone wrote in the Book of Truth"
This double negative emphasizes that Michael is the only one who shows himself strong. Alternate translation: "The only one who shows himself to be strong with me against them is Michael your prince" or "Michael your prince is the only one to show himself strong with me against them"
"who proves himself to be strong with me against them" or "who helps me against them"
The word "your" is plural. It refers to Daniel and the rest of the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Michael, the prince of your people"
"Michael your guardian angel." Translate "prince" when it refers to Michael as you did Daniel 10:13.
1 In the first year of Darius the Mede, I myself came to support and protect Michael. 2 Now I will tell you the truth. Three kings will arise in Persia, and a fourth will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power through his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3 A mighty king will rise up who will rule a very great kingdom, and he will act according to his desires. 4 When he has risen up, his kingdom will be broken and divided to the four winds of heaven, but not to his own descendants, and not with the authority he had when he was ruling. For his kingdom will be uprooted for others besides his descendants.
5 The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he and will have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion. 6 After a few years, when the time is right, they will make an alliance. The daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to confirm the agreement. But she will not keep her arm's strength, nor will he stand, or his arm. She will be abandoned—she and those who brought her, and her father, and the one who supported her in those times. [1]
7 But a branch from her roots will rise up in her place. He will attack the army and enter the fortress of the king of the North. He will fight them, and he will conquer them. 8 He will capture their gods, along with their cast metal figures and their precious vessels of silver and of gold, and take them to Egypt. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North. 9 Then the king of the North will invade the kingdom of the king of the South, but he will withdraw to his own land.
10 His sons will get ready and assemble a great army. It will keep coming and will flood everything; it will pass through all the way to his fortress. 11 Then the king of the South will become very angry; he will go and fight against him, the king of the North. The king of the North will raise up a great army, but the army will be given into his hand. 12 The army will be carried off, and the heart of the king of the South will be lifted up, and he will make tens of thousands to fall, but he will not be victorious. 13 Then the king of the North will raise up another army, greater than the first. After some years, the king of the North will surely come with a great army supplied with much equipment. 14 In those times many will rise against the king of the South. Sons of the violent among your people will set themselves in order to fulfill a vision, but they will stumble. 15 The king of the North will come, pour out earth for siege mounds, and capture a city with fortifications. The forces of the South will not be able to stand, not even their best soldiers. There will be no strength to stand. 16 The one who comes against him will do as he desires, and no one will stand in his way. He will stand in the Beautiful Land, and destruction will be in his hand. 17 The king of the North will set his face to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, and with him will be an agreement that he will make with the king of the South. He will give him a daughter of women in marriage to ruin the kingdom of the South. But the plan will not succeed or help him. 18 After this, the king of the North will pay attention to the coastlands and will capture many of them. But a commander will end his contempt and will cause his contempt to turn back upon him. 19 Then he will pay attention to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall; he will not be found.
20 Then someone will rise up in his place who will make a tax collector pass through for the sake of the splendor of the kingdom. But in the next days he will be broken, but not in anger or in battle. 21 In his place will rise up a despised person to whom the people will not have given the honor of royal power; he will come unexpectedly and will take over the kingdom by trickery. 22 An army will be swept away like a flood from before him. Both that army and the leader of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 From the time an alliance is made with him, he will act deceitfully; with only a small number of people he will gain power. 24 Without warning he will come into the richest part of the province, and he will do what neither his father nor his father's father did. He will spread among his followers the booty, the plunder, and the wealth. He will plan the overthrow of fortresses, but only for a time. 25 He will wake up his power and his heart against the king of the South with a great army. The king of the South will wage war with an extremely large and mighty army, but he will not stand because others will make plots against him. 26 Even those who eat his fine food will try to destroy him. His army will be swept away like a flood, and many of them will fall killed. 27 Both these kings, with their hearts set on evil against each other, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but it will be of no use. For the end will come at the time that has been fixed.
28 Then the king of the North will go back into his land with great riches, with his heart set against the holy covenant. He will act and then will return to his own land. 29 At the appointed time he will return and come against the South again. But this time it will not be as before. 30 For ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will become afraid. He will return and be furious against the holy covenant, and he will take action. He will return and show favor to those who abandon the holy covenant. 31 His forces will rise up and profane the fortress sanctuary. They will put an end to the regular burnt offering, and they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 As for those who acted wickedly against the covenant, he will deceive them and corrupt them. But the people who know their God will be strong and will take action. 33 Those among the people who have insight will make many understand. But they will stumble by the sword and by flame; they will stumble into captivity and into being robbed for days. 34 In their stumbling, they will be helped with a little help. In hypocrisy many will join themselves with them. 35 Some of those who have insight will stumble so that refining will happen to them, and cleansing, and purifying, until the time of the end. For the appointed time is still to come.
36 The king will act according to his desires. He will lift himself up and make himself great above every god. Against the God of gods he will say astonishing things, for he will succeed until the wrath is completed. For what has been decreed will be done. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, not even the god desired by women, nor will he regard any other god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 He will honor the god of fortresses instead of these. It is a god whom his fathers did not know that he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and other precious things. 39 He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. To anyone who acknowledges him, he will give much honor. He will make them rulers over many people, and he will divide up the land as a reward. [2]
40 At the time of the end, the king of the South will attack. The king of the North will storm against him with chariots and horsemen and with many ships. He will go against lands, flood them, and pass through. 41 He will go into the Beautiful Land, and tens of thousands of Israelites will fall. But these will escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the remainder of the people of Ammon. 42 He will extend his hand into lands; the land of Egypt will not be rescued. 43 He will have control over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; the Libyans and the Cushites will be in his footsteps. 44 But news from the east and the north will frighten him, and he will go out with great rage to completely destroy and to set many apart for destruction. 45 He will set up the tent of his royal residence between the seas and the mountain of the beauty of holiness. He will come to his end, and there will be no helper for him.
The final prophecy continues in this chapter. The kings of the North and of the South will fight many wars against each other. The king of the South is probably a reference to Egypt. (See: prophet)
In Daniel 11:1 through 12:4, the one who was speaking to Daniel in chapter 10 tells him what is written in the book of truth. This is as he said he would do in Daniel 10:21.
Darius was the King of the Medes. "The first year" refers to the first year that he was king. Alternate translation: "In the first year of the reign of Darius"
"Three kings will rule over Persia"
"after them a fourth king will come into power who will have more money than the three before him"
Possible meanings are 1) authority or 2) military power.
"he will cause everyone to want to fight"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
The idea of rising up or standing is often used for someone who becomes powerful. Alternate translation: "A mighty king will begin to reign"
Possible meanings are 1) that the size of this kingdom would be very great, or 2) that the king would rule his kingdom with very great power.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "his kingdom will break apart and divide" or "his kingdom will break apart into pieces"
See how you translated this in Daniel 7:2.
The idea of not being divided and shared out is implied here. Alternate translation: "but it will not be divided for his own descendants" or "but it will not be shared by his own descendants"
The kingdom is spoken of as if it were a plant that someone destroyed by uprooting it. This idea can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "another power will uproot and destroy his kingdom and others who are not his descendants will rule over it"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
"His kingdom will be a great kingdom" or "He will rule over a great kingdom." Some English versions understand this "dominion" to be a kingdom other than the kingdom of the South, but others understand it to be the kingdom of the South.
The king of the South will make an alliance with the king of the North. This alliance would be a formal agreement that both nations are required to follow. Alternate translation: "the king of the South and the king of the North will promise to work together"
The king of the South will give his daughter in marriage to the king of the North. The marriage will confirm the agreement between the two kings.
Here "arm" stands for power.
This appears to refer to a plot to kill her and those who made the alliance. This phrase may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "They will abandon her"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
This family is spoken of as if it were a tree. The roots represent ancestors, and the branch represents a descendant. Alternate translation: "a descendant of her ancestors" or "one of her descendants"
The word "her" refers to the daughter of the king of the South in Daniel 11:6.
The word "he" refers to her descendant, and here it also refers to his army. Alternate translation: "He and his army will attack the army of the king of the North"
Here "them" represents the soldiers of the enemy army. Alternate translation: "He will fight the enemy soldiers"
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The word "he" refers to the king of the North.
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
"The sons of the king of the North"
"gather together many men who can fight in battles"
The way the large army covers the land will be like a flood of water. Alternate translation: "will be so great in number that they will cover all the land"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
"will assemble a great army"
Here "hand" represents the control of the king of the South. Alternate translation: "the king will surrender the army to the king of the South"
This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: "The king of the South will capture the army of the North"
Being lifted up represents the idea of becoming very proud. Alternate translation: "will become very proud"
Here falling represents dying in battle. Alternate translation: "will have his army kill many thousands of his enemies" or "will kill many thousands of his enemies"
"many thousands"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "a great army that has much equipment"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
Here the idea of rising up represents rebelling. Alternate translation: "many people will rebel against the king"
Possible meanings are 1) this speaks of the literal children of that society's violent people, who are themselves violent, or 2) this is a metaphor for "Those among your people who are violent."
Here stumbling represents failing. Alternate translation: "they will not succeed"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
Here "king of the North" includes his army also. Alternate translation: "The army of the king of the North will come"
This refers to the piling up of earth in order for soldiers to reach the height of city walls in order to attack them. Soldiers and slaves would put loose earth in baskets, carry them to the right place, and pour it out in order to raise the mounds.
walls and other things built to defend a city or fort from enemy soldiers
Here standing represents the ability to fight. Alternate translation: "will not be able to keep fighting against them"
"The invading king will do whatever he wants against the other king"
Here standing represents ruling. Alternate translation: "The king will begin to rule"
This refers to the land of Israel. See how you translated this in Daniel 8:9.
Here "destruction" represents the power to destroy. Also, the power to destroy is spoken of as if it were something that someone could hold in his hand. Alternate translation: "he will have power to destroy anything"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
This is an idiom for a person deciding to do something and not being willing to change his mind. Alternate translation: "decide"
This probably refers to military power. Alternate translation: "come with the force of all his army"
This is an elegant way of saying "a woman."
"will make the king of the North stop being arrogant"
"will cause the king of the North to suffer because he was arrogant toward others"
"the king of the North will pay attention"
This is a way of saying that he will die. This idea can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he will disappear" or "he will die"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
Rising up in a king's place represents becoming king in place of the previous king. Alternate translation: "another man will become king of the North instead of that king"
The tax collector will go through the land forcing people to pay taxes. Alternate translation: "will send someone to take taxes from the people" or "will send someone to oppress the people"
This collector will collect money so that the king can be wealthy.
Here "he" refers to the new king. Being broken represents dying. Alternate translation: "the new king will die"
Possible meanings are 1) no one was angry at the king, or 2) that the occasion and cause of the king's death were kept secret.
The people will refuse to acknowledge him as king because he is not a descendant of kings. Alternate translation: "a person whom the people will despise and will not honor as king"
Being swept away represents being destroyed. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "His army will completely destroy a great army as a flood destroys everything in its path"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He will destroy that army and the leader of the covenant"
"the leader of the priests." This phrase refers to the person who filled the most important religious position that God required in his covenant, that of the high priest.
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When other rulers make a peace treaty with him"
"will distribute to his followers"
"the valuable things that he and his army take from the people they defeat"
The angel continues speaking to Daniel.
Power and heart
Here this represents courage.
Some modern translations read, "with a large and extremely mighty army."
"will fight against him"
Not standing represents being defeated. Alternate translation: "the king of the South will be defeated" or "his army will be defeated"
This refers to the king's advisers. It was usual for a king's most trusted advisers to eat meals with him. Alternate translation: "the king's best advisers"
Here the severe defeat of an army is spoken of as a flood of water that completely sweeps it away. Alternate translation: "The enemy will completely defeat his army" or "His enemy will completely destroy his army as a flood destroys everything in its path"
Here "fall" is an idiom that refers to dying in battle, so "fall" and "killed" mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: "many of his soldiers will die in battle"
Here "heart" represents a person's desires. Desires are spoken of here as if they were an object that someone could set or place in a certain position. Alternate translation: "each determined to do evil to the other"
Sitting at the same table represents the act of talking to each other.
"but their talking will not help them"
This tells why their meetings will not be successful. Alternate translation: "The result of their actions will only come at the time that God has fixed"
Here "heart" represents the mind or thoughts of a person. The idiom "his heart set against" means to be determined to oppose something. This can be stated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "riches. He will be determined to oppose the holy covenant"
The king's desire to act against the holy covenant represents his desire to stop the Israelites from obeying that covenant. Alternate translation: "determined to stop the Israelites from obeying the holy covenant"
Here "holy" describes God's covenant with Israel. It implies that the covenant should be honored and obeyed because it comes from God himself. Alternate translation: "God's covenant, which all the Israelites should obey"
This implies that the king will do certain actions in Israel. Alternate translation: "He will do what he wants to in Israel"
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The ships represent the army coming in those ships. Alternate translation: "an army will come from Kittim in ships in order to fight his army"
This may refer to a settlement on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.
Some modern translations read, "he will become afraid and will turn back. He will be furious"
Some modern translations read, "act in his fury against the holy covenant."
"hate the holy covenant"
"act in favor for those" or "help those"
"His army will appear" or "His army will come." The word "His" refers to the king of the North.
"the sanctuary that the people use as a fortress"
They will prevent people from offering it. Alternate translation: "They will stop the priests from presenting the regular burnt offering"
This refers to an idol that will make the temple desolate, that is, that will cause God to leave his temple. Alternate translation: "the disgusting idol that will cause God to abandon the temple" or "the disgusting thing that will make the temple unclean"
"wickedly disobeyed the covenant"
"persuade them to do evil"
Here "know" means "be faithful." Alternate translation: "who are faithful to their God"
"will be firm and resist them"
Here "stumble" is a metaphor that represents experiencing a disaster of one kind or another, including death itself. Here "sword" represents battles and warfare, and "flame" represents fire. Alternate translation: "they will die in battle and by burning to death"
This refers to the wise persons among the Israelites.
Here "stumble" is a metaphor that represents experiencing a disaster of one kind or another, including death itself. The phrase "being robbed" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they will become slaves and their enemies will rob them of their possessions for days"
This may be put into active form. Alternate translation: "others will give them a little help"
This refers to other people who will pretend to help the wise persons, but not because they truly wish to help them.
Here "join themselves" represents "come to help." Alternate translation: "will come to help them"
This suffering will continue until the time when God has decided that it will end.
Here "stumble" represents experiencing a disaster of one kind or another, including death itself.
Here "so that" means "with the result that." Alternate translation: "with the result that refining will happen to them"
These three activities are expressed here as if they were things. However, they may be expressed as actions, either in passive form or in active form. Alternate translation: "they will be refined, cleansed, and purified" or "their suffering will refine, cleanse, and purify them"
This refers to the purifying of metal by melting it in a fire. When God makes his people more faithful to himself, this is spoken of as if they were metal that a worker was making more pure by putting it into fire.
This refers to making people, places, or objects suitable for God's use by separating them from sin and other forms of evil. It speaks of evil as if it were physical dirtiness that could be removed by washing.
This idea is very similar to refining, discussed earlier. Metal that is refined can also be said to be purified.
"the final days" or "the end of the world." See how you translated this in Daniel 8:17.
Here "appointed time" implies that God has set the time. This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has set the time in the future"
"The king will do whatever he wants"
This refers to the king of the North.
The phrases "lift himself up" and "make himself great" mean the same thing and indicate that the king will become very proud.
Here this represents becoming very proud.
Here this represents pretending to be very important and powerful.
This refers to the one true God. Alternate translation: "the supreme God" or "the only true God"
"terrible things" or "shocking things"
This phrase pictures God as storing up his wrath until his storeroom is completely full of it and he is ready to act according to it. Alternate translation: "until God is completely angry with him" or "until God is angry enough to take action against him"
This seems to refer to the pagan god named Tammuz.
The king probably believed that this false god would help him to attack other people's fortresses and keep his own. Alternate translation: "the god that controls fortresses"
The word "these" refers to the gods mentioned in Daniel 11:37.
Possible meanings are 1) "he will give the land to his followers as a reward" or 2) "he will sell land to his followers"
"the final days" or "the end of the world." See how you translated this in Daniel 8:17.
These phrases stand for the kings and their armies. Alternate translation: "the king of the South and his army ... The king of the North and his army"
Violently attacking with an army is spoken of as if a storm happened. Alternate translation: "will attack him like a violent storm" or "will violently attack him"
When an army overruns a country, it is spoken of as if a flood occurred. See how you translated this in Daniel 11:10.
Nothing will stop the army. Alternate translation: "will pass through the lands with no one to stop him"
This refers to the land of Israel. See how you translated this in Daniel 8:9.
Here falling represents the action of dying. Alternate translation: "will die"
Here "hand" represents power. Alternate translation: "But these will escape from his power" or "But he will not be able to destroy these nations"
This is still about the king of the North.
Here "hand" represents power and control. Alternate translation: "He will extend his control over various lands"
Here the idea is many lands or various lands.
This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "the land of Egypt will not escape"
Here "footsteps" represent submission. Alternate translation: "the Libyans and the Cushites will have to serve him"
"the people of Libya and Cush." Libya is a country west of Egypt, and Cush is a country south of Egypt.
This is still about the king of the North.
The abstract noun "rage" can be expressed with the word "angry." It can be stated clearly that he would go out with his army. Alternate translation: "he will be very angry and will go out" or "he will become very angry and will go out with his army"
To "go out" represents the action of attacking the enemy.
"to destroy many people"
This refers to the king's luxurious tents that he lived in when he was with his army in time of war.
This probably refers to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
This refers to the hill in Jerusalem where God's temple was. See how you translated somewhat similar phrases in [Daniel 9:16]
1 At that time Michael, the great prince who guards your people, will rise up. There will be a time of trouble such as never was since the beginning of any nation until that time. At that time your people will be saved, everyone whose name is found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness are like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up these words; keep the book sealed until the time of the end. Many will run here and there, and knowledge will increase."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there were two others standing. One stood on the bank on this side of the river, and one stood on the bank on the other side of the river. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, the one who was upstream along the river, "How long will it be to the end of these amazing events?" 7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was upstream along the river—he raised his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these things will be completed. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My master, what will be the outcome of all these things?" 9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 From the time that an end is put to the regular burnt offering and the abomination that causes complete desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits until the end of the 1,335 days. 13 You must go your way until the end, and you will rest. You will rise in the place assigned to you, at the end of days."
The final prophecy concludes in this chapter. It tells about the future resurrection of the dead and the final judgment. (See: resurrection and judgmentday)
The angel who appeared to Daniel in Daniel 10:5 continues speaking.
Michael is an archangel. Here he is also given the title "great prince."
Here "rise up" is an idiom that means to appear. Alternate translation: "Michael ... will appear"
This can be stated in active form. You can also make it clear that God will save the people. Alternate translation: "God will save your people"
This can be stated in active form. You can also make it clear that God writes names in the book. Alternate translation: "whose name God has written in the book"
The phrase "sleep in the dust of the earth" is another way of referring to those who have died. Here "rise up" is an idiom that means to come back to life. Alternate translation: "those who have died will come back to life"
This refers to God's people who will share their wisdom with those around them.
This refers to those who help others understand that they are separated from God, as if they were changing the direction in which they were going. Alternate translation: "those who teach others to live righteously"
These people are compared to the stars that shine. Alternate translation: "those who turn ... will shine brightly like the stars forever and ever"
Here "words" represents the book. Alternate translation: "close this book and keep it sealed"
"the final days" or "the end of the world." See how you translated this in Daniel 8:17.
This seems to happen before "the time of the end" during which time the book is sealed. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "Before that happens, many people will travel here and there, learning more and more about many things"
Daniel goes on to tell what he saw next in this vision that began in Daniel 10:1.
"there were two other angels standing"
This refers to the angel who appeared to Daniel in [Daniel 10:5]
Possible meanings are 1) the angel clothed in linen was above the river or 2) the angel was further upstream along the river.
"How long will these amazing events last?" This refers to the time from the beginning to the end of the events.
At the time when the angel spoke to Daniel, none of the events in this vision had happened. This definitely refers to the events in Daniel 12:1-4, and may possibly also include the events in the vision from chapter 11.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the man who was wearing linen clothes" or "the angel who was wearing linen clothes"
"God, who lives forever"
It is best to leave it ambiguous as to when this begins. If you must choose a starting point, the three and a half years probably start with the events of Daniel 12:1-4.
"three and a half years." These "times" are generally understood to refer to years. One and two and a half equal three and a half.
The writer does not tell who he means by the word "they." Some languages use the passive here: "the power of the holy people is finally shattered"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "all these things will have happened"
At the time when the man clothed in linen spoke to Daniel, none of the events in this vision had happened. This refers to the events in Daniel 12:1-4, and may include the events in the vision from chapter 11.
Daniel refers to the angel clothed in linen as "My master" to show respect to the angel.
At the time when the angel clothed in linen spoke to Daniel, none of the events in this vision had happened. This definitely refers to the events in Daniel 12:1-4, and may possibly also include the events in the vision from chapter 11.
The vision that was given to Daniel was not to be explained. The book was sealed and no one could access it. Alternate translation: "for you are to close up and seal the words you have written"
"the final days" or "the end of the world." See how you translated this in Daniel 8:17.
The angel clothed in linen continues speaking to Daniel.
Yahweh does the purifying. These three terms mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will purify, cleanse, and refine many people"
purified by removing anything that does not belong in them
The evil people will do evil or sinful things.
The evil people can not understand spiritual knowledge.
The king of the north is the one who stops the temple sacrifices. Alternate translation: "the king of the North puts an end to the regular burnt offering and sets up the abomination that causes complete desolation"
This refers to an idol that will make the temple desolate, that is, that will cause God to leave his temple. See how you translated this in [Daniel 11:31]
"one thousand two and hundred ninety days" or "twelve hundred and ninety days." Here "days" refers to a period of time. Most commonly rendered as days, but can also imply years.
The angel clothed in linen continues speaking to Daniel.
"Blessed is the person who waits" or "Blessed is anyone who waits"
"who remains faithful"
"one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days" or "thirteen hundred and thirty-five days." Here "days" is referring to a period of time most commonly rendered as days. However, it can also imply years.
"Daniel, you must go" This refers to Daniel continuing to live and serve the kings until the appointed time of his death.
This is a gentle way of saying "you will die."
This is referring to the first resurrection of the dead when the righteous people will be raised up.
"the place God has assigned to you"