complete verse (Daniel 1:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 1:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “When the ten days passed, the servant saw that Daniel and his three friends who fed on vegetables and water were better nourished and healthier than those who fed on food from the king’s palace.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Ten days later they looked healthier and stronger than the young men who had eaten all the food that the king eats.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “After ten days, (it-was)-seen that their bodies were much better compared to the young-men who are-eating the food of the king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After ten days, he saw that my three friends and I looked healthier than the young men who had been eating the food that the king wanted them to eat.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 1:15

At the end of ten days: since the precise duration of the test has already been mentioned twice (see verses 12 and 14), it may be more natural in some cases to say simply “At the end of the time agreed on,” “After the period of testing was completed,” or “When they had finished the experiment.” But if it is not unnatural, translators may repeat the time period.

It was seen: this passive expression may be rendered actively by saying “he (the guard) saw…,” making the guard the subject of the verb “to see.” Or instead of it was seen that they were better in appearance, it may be more natural to say “they looked better….” This is, in fact, what most English versions do at this point.

Fatter in flesh: in ancient Jewish culture stoutness or plumpness was considered a positive thing. In certain modern cultures, especially in the West, where people have more than enough to eat, this is considered negative. Translators should be careful to translate in such a way that the readers do not think of this as negative. In some cases it may even be necessary to say something more general, like “better nourished” (New English Bible and New International Version), “better fed” (New American Bible), “in superior health,” or “in better physical condition.” The text stresses that Daniel and his friends were in better condition that all the others, who ate the king’s royal diet. This emphasis should be included in the translation.

The king’s rich food: see verse 5. Here again it is important to avoid giving the impression that the king was deprived of his own food in order that it might be given to the young men. New English Bible has “the food assigned them by the king.”

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 .