The spirit of the holy gods: see 4.8.

In the days of your father: or “during the time when your father ruled.”

Light and understanding and wisdom: the three corresponding Aramaic terms have more or less the same meaning. While the first contains the idea of “light,” it is to be taken in a figurative sense and probably not translated literally in most languages. The second gives the idea of a kind of intelligence that enables a person to avoid errors or miscalculation. The third word in the list carries the notion of discernment or good judgment. If possible the translator should try to find three similar terms that include these concepts. But in some languages he or she may be forced to reduce the number of terms to two. This is comparable to the three synonymous verbs found at the end of the previous chapter (4.37).

Were found in him: this passive formulation will be plainly impossible in some languages. Some other ways to communicate this idea are “people saw in him,” “he demonstrated,” or possibly “he was known for” (New Jerusalem Bible), although this is also a passive.

King Nebuchadnezzar, your father: see the comments on verse 1 above. Following this expression the Aramaic text repeats the words “your father, the king” (compare King James Version, New International Version, and New American Standard Bible), although some ancient versions omit them. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament indicate that this was very probably a part of the original and may have a vocative meaning. While these words should not be rejected for text-critical reasons, many translators may find the repetition very awkward and will have to omit them for translation reasons.

Made him chief: see 2.48.

Magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers: see verse 7 as well as 2.2.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .