He came and he said: literally “he explained (caused to understand) and he spoke to me and he said.” This series of three verbs having almost the same meaning in the Hebrew is reduced to two in the ancient Greek and Syriac versions, where the object pronoun is also lacking. New Jerusalem Bible, like Revised Standard Version, indicates in a note that it follows these ancient versions. But such a redundant expression can be simplified for translation reasons without recourse to textual decisions. Some languages, however, will definitely require the object pronoun.

O Daniel: the use of the proper name marks the beginning of the interpretation provided by Gabriel.

Come out: this verb has been translated in a variety of ways: “come down” (New Jerusalem Bible); “come forth” (New Jerusalem Bible and Anchor Bible); “now come” (New American Bible and New International Version). There is no special emphasis on movement from inside to outside, as the Revised Standard Version rendering may suggest. But if it is necessary to say where the angel comes from, translators can say “from heaven.”

Wisdom and understanding: the context makes it clear that this does not refer to general knowledge and discernment. It refers in particular to enlightenment concerning the prophecy of Jeremiah mentioned in verse 2 above. Note that Good News Translation makes this clear.

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 .