¹tn Aram “It was pleasing before Darius.”
²tn This is a technical term for an official placed in charge of a region of the empire. These satraps were answerable to a supervisor, who in turn answered to Darius.
³tn Aram “giving an account.”
⁴tn Aram “looking to find.”
⁵tn Aram “from the side of the kingdom.”
⁶tn Aram “pretext and corruption.”
⁷tn Aram “no negligence or corruption was found in him.” The Greek version of Theodotion lacks the phrase “and no negligence or corruption was found in him.”
⁸tn Aram “were saying.”
⁹tn Aram “unless we find [it] against him.”
¹⁰tn The Aramaic verb rgs occurs three times in this chapter (vv. 7, 12, 16). Its meaning is widely disputed by commentators, and the versions vary considerably in how they render the word. The suggestion that it means “to come thronging” (BDB 1112; cf. NAB) seems inappropriate, since it is unlikely that subordinates would enter a royal court in such a reckless fashion. The ancient versions struggled with the word and are not in agreement in their understanding of its meaning. In this chapter the word apparently means to act in agreement with other parties in the pursuit of a duplicitous goal, namely the entrapment of Daniel.
¹¹tn Aram “thus they were saying.”
¹²tn Aram “prays a prayer.”
¹³tn Aram “establish a written interdict and inscribe a written decree.”
¹⁴tn Or “removed.”
¹⁵tn Aram “knew.”
¹⁶sn In later rabbinic thought this verse was sometimes cited as a proof-text for the notion that one should pray only in a house with windows. See the Talmud, b. Berakhot 34b.
¹⁷sn According to some scholars, the Muslim practice of praying toward Mecca is derived from this text.
map For the location of Jerusalem see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
¹⁸sn This is apparently the only specific mention in the OT of prayer being regularly offered three times a day. The practice was probably not unique to Daniel.
¹⁹tc Read with several medieval Hebrew MSS and printed editions hawah rather than the MT hu’.
²⁰tn Aram “kneeling on his knees.”
sn No specific posture for offering prayers is prescribed in the OT. Kneeling, as here, and standing were both practiced.
²¹tn Aram “those men”; the referent (the administrative officials who had earlier approached the king about the edict) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
²²tc The MT also has “about the edict of the king,” but this phrase is absent in the LXX and the Syriac. The present translation deletes the expression.
tn Aram “before the king.”
²³tn Aram “the word is true.”
²⁴tn Aram “from the sons of the captivity [of].”
²⁵tn Aram “prays his prayer.”
²⁶tn Aram “the word.”
²⁷tn Aram “placed his mind on.”
²⁸tn Aram “the entrances of the sun.”
²⁹tc Theodotion lacks the words “came by collusion to the king and.”
³⁰tn Aram “the king.”
³¹tn Aram “know.”
³²tn Aram “said.” So also in vv. 24, 25.
³³sn The den was perhaps a pit below ground level which could be safely observed from above.
³⁴tn Aram “answered and said [to Daniel].”
³⁵tn Aram “mouth.”
³⁶sn The purpose of the den being sealed was to prevent unauthorized tampering with the opening of the den. Any disturbance of the seal would immediately alert the officials to improper activity of this sort.
³⁷tn Aram “the signet rings.”
³⁸tn The meaning of Aramaic dahawah is a crux interpretum. Suggestions include “music,” “dancing girls,” “concubines,” “table,” “food”—all of which are uncertain. The translation employed here, suggested by earlier scholars, is deliberately vague. On this word see further, HALOT 5:1849-50; Ernestus Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae Veteris Testamenti, 37.
³⁹tn Aram “his sleep fled from him.”
⁴⁰tn Aram “The king answered and said to Daniel.” This phrase has not been included in the translation for stylistic reasons; it is redundant in English.
⁴¹tn Aram “with.”
⁴²tn Aram “said.”
⁴³tn Aram “had eaten the pieces of.” Although figurative, the literal Aramaic expression is ironic, in that the accusers who had “eaten the pieces of Daniel” are themselves devoured by the lions.
⁴⁴tn The Aramaic active impersonal verb is often used as a substitute for the passive.
⁴⁵tc The LXX specifies only the two overseers, together with their families, as those who were cast into the lions’ den.
⁴⁶tn Aram “May your peace be increased!”
⁴⁷tn Aram “until the end.”
⁴⁸tn Aram “hand.”
⁴⁹tn Or perhaps “in the reign of Darius, even in the reign of Cyrus.” The identity of this Darius is disputed. Some take the name to be referring to Cyrus, understanding the following vav (“and”) in an epexegetical sense (“even”). Others identify Darius with a governor of Babylon known from extra-biblical records as Gubaru, or with Cambyses, son of Cyrus. Many scholars maintain that the reference is historically mistaken.