The text of Revised Standard Version continues the thought of the previous verse without a break. But Good News Translation and some other modern versions start a new sentence at the beginning of this verse, adding the words “They must be….” Technically, what follows is the direct object of the verb in verse 3.
Youths: according to the word used here, these young men were adolescents of at least fifteen years of age. The New Jerusalem Bible rendering “boys” may be misleading. The translation should not give the impression that they were little boys before the age of puberty. Revised English Bible, with a new sentence at this point, begins “They were to be young men….”
The writer then goes on to list the physical and intellectual qualities required of the young men who were to be chosen.
Without blemish: the word translated blemish involves any physical deformity or defect. It is very similar to the word used in Leviticus to describe those men who were to be excluded from the priestly service (Lev 21.17-23) and the animals not allowed as sacrifices (Lev 22.17-25). To be without blemish means much more than just to be “healthy” (Living Bible [Living Bible]). Rather it is to be translated “without any physical defect” (New International Version [New International Version]), “bodily without fault” (New English Bible), or “physically perfect.” Note that this element has been transposed to the end of the list of desired qualities in the Good News Translation rendering because it seems more natural there, but it has not been omitted.
Handsome: this involves physical attractiveness, which may vary from culture to culture. However, if possible a very general term should be chosen. In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of the various elements in this list, using the words that are more common before the more technical ones.
Skilful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning: in many languages it will be very difficult to find separate terms for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and learning. And in fact the list is probably not intended to give clearly distinct intellectual qualities. However, because the writer is fond of using lists, it may be important to try to find expressions indicating: (1) the inborn quality of common sense; (2) the aptitude or the ability to learn new things; and (3) breadth of knowledge. One possible restructuring of these elements might be “They had to be handsome and free from physical defects. They also had to be intelligent, well trained, and quick to learn.”
Competent to serve in the king’s palace: this is not merely another quality added to the above list, but rather it seems to be more of a summary and result of all the different qualities mentioned. For this reason several modern versions (French common language translation [Bible en français courant] and New American Bible as well as Good News Translation) add something like “in order that they might be qualified to serve….” In languages where there is no special word for palace, translators sometimes have to resort to an expression like “the king’s big house.” But it will be noted that the context here already has the qualifying word showing that it is the residence of the king.
Good News Translation again begins a new sentence following the detailed description of the kind of young men that were to be sought. This new sentence focuses on the duty of Ashpenaz to train these men. In other languages it may be better to begin such a sentence “Ashpenaz was expected to teach them…” or “The king charged Ashpenaz to see that they learned….”
Letters and language: the first of these two words is one that is ordinarily used of a written document (inscription, letter or book). The Revised Standard Version rendering is ambiguous, since the English word “letters” may be understood as either a complete written message or the individual symbols of the alphabet used in writing. Here it is better to understand it as “writings” (Revised English Bible) or “literature” (New Revised Standard Version). Once again, it may be more natural in some languages to reverse the order of these two elements. In some languages the idea of literature may be unfamiliar, but there will probably be some way of talking about “written things,” and this may be the nearest equivalent available.
Of the Chaldeans: this is a transliteration of the Hebrew word that denotes first of all the inhabitants of “Chaldea” or Babylonia. The Greek translation, in fact, reads “of the Babylonians.” Good News Translation and New International Version have chosen to use the more commonly known name “Babylonia.” This is especially advisable, since the name of the city of Babylon is mentioned in verse 1 above. A different meaning of the same term will be seen in 2.2 and the verses that follow.
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 .