Prince: in the context this seems to refer to some sort of supernatural being like Gabriel and Michael (see verses 20-21). Each nation was thought to have its own angel who served as its protector. For this reason Good News Translation and New English Bible have made it clear that the reference is to “the angel prince.” Translators may also consider an expression like “The protecting angel” or “The guardian angel” (Moffatt and Revised English Bible).

Withstood me: in some languages translators will want to know whether the term thus translated in Revised Standard Version involves physical resistance or some other kind of opposition. The word has the basic meaning of “to stand” or “to take up a position,” and here it means “stood in my way” (New American Bible).

Twenty-one days: this corresponds to the same period of time (“three weeks”) of Daniel’s self-denial as described in verses 2 and 3. But this is probably not very significant. However, if it is more natural in the translator’s language to say “three weeks” than twenty-one days here, then this may be done.

Michael: this is the guardian angel of the people of God. Compare Zech 3.1-2, where the angel of the LORD resists Satan, and Jude 9, where Michael is mentioned by name. Here Michael is further described as one of the chief princes, or “a prince of the first rank” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “one of the archangels” (An American Translation and Moffatt).

I left him there: the Revised Standard Version rendering comes from a proposed correction in the Hebrew text, based on the ancient Greek. The Hebrew text actually has a passive verb form, “I was (or had been) left there.” This text is followed by New International Version, “I was detained there,” and by Good News Translation and certain other English versions. Some commentators feel that this does not make good sense, because the guardian angel did not remain with the angel of Persia but came to Daniel as a result of Michael’s help. However, it is quite possible to adopt the reading of the traditional Hebrew text, in the sense that Michael came after the guardian angel had been detained there for a while. The change proposed by Revised Standard Version is therefore unnecessary.

With the prince of the kingdom of Persia: literally “with prince of the kings of Persia,” but Revised Standard Version takes this as having the same meaning as the initial clause in this verse. It is true that in Daniel “kings” and “kingdoms” are frequently interchanged (compare 7.17; 8.21, and comments). Some versions (New Jerusalem Bible, for example) follow a different text that says “with the kings of Persia.” This, in fact, is the reading recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project/Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. It is, however, interesting to note that the proposed interpretation of Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament allows for an explanatory note indicating that the “king” in fact represents the empire, as in 7.17 and 8.21.

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 .