Commentators often feel that verses 41-44 are cluttered with needless repetition. In these four verses toes, which were not mentioned earlier, complicate the figure of speech. Also some kind of clay is mentioned seven times. But it is difficult to see any particular significance in the various terms used, and many languages will not have the resources to make such distinctions.

As you saw the feet and toes partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron: all this forms a single subordinate clause in Aramaic. For stylistic reasons it may be better in some languages to break it into two shorter units and make a separate sentence of it. For example, “As you have noticed, the feet and toes of the statue are made partly of ceramic and partly of iron.”

The word for clay or “baked clay” (New International Version) is qualified in the original by “of potter.” Depending on the word chosen for clay, it may be possible to leave this out. On the translation of the idea of clay, see verse 33. But a different word is used here. The Revised Standard Version miry clay at the end of the verse seems to focus on the watery character of clay that has not yet been baked or fired, and this is not at all the intent of the writer. It is probably best not to try to distinguish between what the Revised Standard Version calls potter’s clay and miry clay.

And toes: these words are omitted by some modern versions (New Jerusalem Bible) because they are not in some ancient Aramaic texts. However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends that translators follow the longer text that includes these words. In some languages, however, it may be awkward and unnecessarily redundant to mention the toes, since they would be clearly understood as being included in the word feet. If this is the case, the words and toes may be left out—for translation reasons rather than for textual reasons.

It shall be …: although it is not stated in the text at this point, this is still a part of the explanation of the dream. For this reason Good News Translation adds “This means that…” (compare also New American Bible). This is probably a good model for most other languages to follow.

A divided kingdom: another way of saying this is “will not be united” or “will lack unity.” As the end of the verse demonstrates, it is not a question of a separation into several parts but of internal tension. Just as clay and iron do not mix well, so this kingdom will lack cohesion and unity.

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 .