As in verse 21, the verb translated come into may be rendered “invade” or “attack” in this context.

Without warning: or if the other interpretation was followed in verse 21, “in time of peace.” But the idea “suddenly” or “unexpectedly” is preferable.

The richest parts of the province: literally “in the fatness of the province.” Compare the “fatness of the earth” in Gen 27.28, 39, where the same Hebrew word is used with essentially the same meaning. The term is used to make people think of the idea of richness and fertility of the land.

Neither his fathers nor his fathers’ fathers: this refers to the ancestors and should probably be so translated, but the form is rather emphatic, since the word fathers alone is often used for ancestors. Perhaps this emphasis can be conveyed by saying something like “not a single one of his ancestors.” Revised English Bible attempts to convey this emphasis with “succeed where all his ancestors failed.” In some languages the word for “grandfathers” must be used to translate the idea of “ancestors.”

Scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods: the first noun in this list may refer to either the act of pillage or the result of such action, but it is the second possibility that is appropriate here, and it has almost the same meaning as the second term. On the third term, see the comment on “supplies” in verse 13. The pronoun them refers not to the noun fathers or ancestors (which comes immediately before it) but to the “people” at the end of verse 23. This is made clear in Good News Translation when it speaks of dividing “among his followers.” The word rendered scattering may mean “distributing” or “lavishing on.”

Devise plans against strongholds: or “he will plot to overthrow fortresses” (New International Version). The idea is that of making military plans in order to defeat opposing forces protected in fortified positions. Some other ways of saying this are “conspire to take over fortified cities” or “plot the downfall of strong places.” Moffatt makes it clear where the fortresses are located: “make plans … against the fortresses of Egypt.”

But only for a time: literally “until a time.” The most probable meaning of this expression involves the notion of time restriction. It may be expressed in a variety of ways: “but all that will not go on indefinitely” (Bible en français courant), “though only for a limited time,” or “the time will come when it is finished.”

As in verse 18, the possible historical references of this verse are too general to be identifiable with any degree of certainty.

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 .