Said: literally the text has “spoke with the king.” Compare New Jerusalem Bible “talked with.” This is different from the expression normally used in such a context (see 2.5). But in this context the verb may be more naturally translated “answered” as in Revised English Bible and Good News Translation.

O king, live for ever!: see verse 6 as well as 2.4. Note, however, that the ancient Greek version has “O king, I am alive!” But none of the well-known versions follow this reading.

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 .