Like a lion: translators should make certain that the vision deals with a resemblance, but that what was seen was not actually a real lion. In some cases translators may wish to say “resembled a lion,” or “seemed like a lion,” or something similar.
And had eagles’ wings: it may be better in many languages to use a conjunction like “but” at the beginning of this phrase, since the description of the wings that follows is certainly contrary to what the reader would expect. And here, too, it may be more natural to say that the wings were “like those of an eagle” instead of giving the impression that they were literal eagles’ wings.
The words as I looked may seem completely unnecessary in some languages, although it is probably intended to serve as a reminder that Daniel kept on watching. For this reason these words may be better translated “while I was still looking” or “I kept on watching, and….”
The passive forms in this verse may present serious problems in many languages. Instead of were plucked it may be necessary to say “someone (or something) plucked.” In place of it was lifted up … and made to stand, translators may have to say “they (impersonal) lifted it up … and it stood” or possibly “it rose up … and stood.” The context seems to indicate that the front feet of the animal were lifted up, but in a vision it is not impossible that this expression refers to the lifting up above the ground of all four feet.
Upon two feet: while the Aramaic uses the same term for the feet of a human being and the legs of an animal, in some languages there are totally different words for these two objects. The idea here is that the animal stood up on its hind legs in a manner similar to the position of a man standing up.
The mind of a man was given to it may be translated in some languages as “it received the mind of human being.”
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 .