So: as a result of what he saw, the guard acted. The transition word is therefore important. In some cases it will be possible to begin this verse with “That is why…” (Bible en français courant), “Because of this,” or “Therefore…,” but most English versions have “So….”

The steward: see comments on verse 11.

Took away: in this context the verb used emphasizes the fact that the food was withdrawn, or put aside, in order to be replaced by something else. The form of the verb in English may seem to convey the idea that this was something that happened only once. However, the Hebrew verb shows that it was a regular occurrence. This is brought out in Good News Translation by the addition of the expression “from then on…,” making it clear that this became a regular habit. In some languages this can be communicated by using the habitual form of the verb. Or it may be handled by the use of other verbs, as in “continued to take away…” (New American Bible) or “kept on removing…” (New Jerusalem Bible).

And gave them vegetables: as in the earlier reference, it may be clearer to add “only.” On the word for vegetables, see the discussion under verse 12.

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 .