The first year of Darius: literally “in the year one of Darius.” It is understood that this is talking about the first year of the reign of Darius. Since this information is repeated at the beginning of verse 2, it may be left out in one of the two places. Good News Translation elects to omit it here and also slightly restructures the remaining elements. This may be a suitable model for other languages to follow.

According to some commentators the king already named in 5.31 and in chapter 6 is here distinguished from Darius Hystaspes, who began to rule in 522 B.C. and is mentioned in Ezra 4.24. Others point out that Darius may be an old Iranian title rather than a proper name. But the translator is required to translate the text as it stands.

Ahasuerus: this is the Hebrew equivalent of the better known Greek name “Xerxes.” The Greek form of the name is used in several modern translations including Good News Translation, New International Version, An American Translation, and Moffatt, as well as in the ancient Greek version. New Jerusalem Bible, however, has “Artaxerxes.” It is recommended that translators use the Greek form “Xerxes” as the basis for transliteration into other languages, since it is better known by people who have studied this history of the area.

Secular history indicates that King Xerxes of Persia was the son of Darius I of Persia. This has given rise to much speculation about the precise identification of the person referred to here. But translators need not try to solve all these problems of identification.

By birth a Mede: literally “of the race of the Medes.” These words stress the ethnic background of the Darius under discussion. And in most languages there should be little difficulty in finding a natural equivalent.

Became king: literally “was made king” as in New Jerusalem Bible. Revised English Bible has “was appointed ruler.” Because this is the only case in biblical Hebrew where this particular verb form is used, some scholars have felt that the text must be corrected to say became king, as in Revised Standard Version and most other versions. The essential meaning of the two forms is, however, the same. And in languages where the passive is impossible, translators will have to say “became king” in any case. Most translators should not worry about this slight difference.

The realm of the Chaldeans: as in 1.4; 3.8; 5.30, the term Chaldeans refers to the better-known “Babylonians” and should be so translated.

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 .