At the end of twelve months: in some languages it will be much more natural to say simply “a year later” (Bible en français courant). And in a few cases it may be necessary to refer to the event from which the time was counted. This would be the time of the dream and its interpretation by Daniel. The idea is that of a relatively short period of time; this is why Good News Translation begins with “Only….”

Walking on the roof: literally “on the palace.” In some languages a literal translation of the Revised Standard Version phrase without further explanation may give readers the impression that Nebuchadnezzar had already lost his mind. The idea of walking on a roof is totally foreign to many cultures; so this custom may have to be explained in a footnote. However, in the translation itself it is legitimate to say something like “walking around on the roof-top porch (of his palace)” or “wandering about on the flat-topped roof.”

Of the royal palace: in some languages where royalty as described in the Bible is unknown, this may have to be rendered simply “of his (the king’s) big house.”

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 .