The king, when he heard …: this rather peculiar structure with the relative clause between the subject and the verb is not recommended to translators in most languages. It will probably be more natural to put this relative clause either before the subject, as in Good News Translation, or after the verb “distressed.”

Set his mind: literally “set his heart upon” (New Jerusalem Bible). But since the heart was considered the seat of intelligence (see comments on 1.8; 2.30; 4.16), it will be more natural in most cases to say something like “tried to think of a way” (New English Bible), “made up his mind” (New American Bible), or “thought about a means.”

Deliver: since Daniel had not yet been arrested, this is not to be taken in the sense of liberating or freeing from imprisonment. Rather it carries the idea of sparing him from the fate required by the decree. The verb translated rescue at the end of the verse is virtually identical in meaning.

He labored …: this clause emphasizes the king’s persistence in seeking a way to spare Daniel’s life. Some other renderings are “continued his efforts” (Revised English Bible), “made every effort” (New Revised Standard Version), “racked his brains” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .