It is important that this verse be translated in such a way as to make clear to the reader that Daniel was not physically in Susa, but only in his vision. The repeated use of the phrase I saw … underlines this fact. Certain scholars maintain that the second occurrence of I saw in the vision is a textual error. Several modern versions leave it out, although it is not always clear whether the omission is for textual or translational reasons.

The capital: while Susa was, in fact, the capital of the province of Elam, it was also a fortified city. The word used here seems to focus more on the fortifications than on the fact of its political importance. For this reason most versions have something like “citadel” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, An American Translation, Moffatt) or “the fortress” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). The Good News Translation rendering is simply a less complicated way of saying the same thing. The rendering used here should be compared with Neh 1.1 and Est 1.2, where the same term is used.

The province of Elam: this is the region east of the Tigris River, which provided numerous raw materials. Its people are depicted as a ruthless nation whose warriors were skillful in using chariots as well as bows and arrows. Elamites are mentioned in the New Testament as being present in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2.9).

The river Ulai: this expression is repeated in verse 16 of this chapter, and the word translated river occurs again in verses 3 and 6. The Ulai is one of three bodies of water near Susa. Today it is called the Eulaeus. It is actually an artificial canal that joins the other two streams, the Kerkha and the Abdizful. For this reason a more accurate translation may be “canal,” as in New International Version, Revised English Bible, and New American Standard Bible. In those languages where there is no word for canal, it will be better to use something like “stream” (New English Bible, An American Translation), indicating a less important body of water than the word “river” may signify. Some versions, including New Jerusalem Bible and Anchor Bible, have “the Ulai Gate” at this point. This is a conjectural translation based on the ancient versions, but translators are advised not to adopt this solution.

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 .