Magicians … astrologers: on this list, see the same terms in 2.2; astrologers occurs in 2.27. And note especially that the term Chaldeans is not to be understood in its purely geographical sense.

They: similar to the previous verse, it may be better to translate this as “none of them” or something similar.

Could not make known to me: literally “did not make known to me….” But the focus is clearly on their inability to provide the interpretation rather than on any unwillingness on their part. Revised English Bible has “but they were unable to interpret it for me.”

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 .