This subordinate clause is attached to verse 11 in Revised Standard Version and a few other versions to explain why Daniel had been made chief of the wise men. This is certainly a grammatical possibility. But the majority of modern versions (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, and Good News Translation) begin a new sentence here and thus make this clause the reason for the appeal to call for Daniel at the end of the verse.

An excellent spirit: it is better to understand the word translated spirit as being equivalent to something like “mind” in English. New American Bible translates the two words together as “an extraordinary mind,” and New International Version has “a keen mind.” Others take it in the sense of ability: “rare ability” (Moffatt), “surpassing ability” (An American Translation), “exceptional ability” (Revised English Bible), or “unusual ability” (Good News Translation). But it would probably be a mistake to use the literal equivalent for “spirit” in most languages.

Knowledge: this is yet another term similar in meaning to those in the previous verse. But in some languages it may be necessary to repeat one of the words already used.

Understanding: the last of these three words here is the same as the second of the list in the previous verse.

To interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems: these infinitives are really verbal nouns, and they all serve to explain what Daniel’s knowledge and understanding involved. On interpret dreams see chapter 4. The words explain riddles may be rendered “explain enigmas” (Anchor Bible and New American Bible) or “hidden things to reveal” (Knox). The noun refers to a mystery that puzzles the ordinary person. The expression solve problems literally means “to untie knots,” indicating an ability to find solutions to seemingly impossible problems. Some commentators see in this expression some kind of reference to the literal untying of knots in the context of Aramaic magical practices. An American Translation, for example, has “unraveling knots.” But this is unlikely. New Jerusalem Bible retains something of the image with “unravelling difficult problems” (compare Revised English Bible).

Were found: this is once again a passive form that should be made active in many languages. This idea may be expressed by beginning the verse “he possesses” followed by the list of qualities.

Let Daniel be called: it should be made clear in translation that this is a command of the king. New American Bible is correct in rendering it “summon Daniel….” Some other ways of saying this are “call for Daniel” (New International Version) or simply “send for him” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Show the interpretation: see 2.4. In some languages it may be appropriate to state clearly what is to be interpreted, as in “the interpretation of the writing on the wall” or “the meaning of the written message that appeared.” The writing has not been mentioned since verse 8.

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 .