He who comes against him: the pronoun references are unclear in Revised Standard Version. Translators should probably use a noun as the subject, “the king of the north” or “the king of Syria,” depending on how precise the translation is in the previous verses. Another possibility is to say “the invading king.” The object pronoun, him, refers to the king of the south represented by his besieged army. It will therefore be better in most cases to use a plural pronoun “them,” or perhaps better still, a phrase like “his enemies” or “the invader” (Revised English Bible).

Shall do according to his own will: that is, “do whatever he pleases.” See verses 3 and 36.

None shall stand before him: or “no one will be able to stand against him,” “he shall meet no resistance,” or “no one will dare to oppose him.”

He shall stand: while the two words in this verse translated stand in Revised Standard Version are the same in Hebrew, the contexts require very different renderings. Here the meaning is “he will establish himself” (New International Version and Revised English Bible) or “he will occupy” (Anchor Bible). The singular pronoun refers to the king, but he represents his entire army in this case. Some languages may require that this be translated “he and his army” or “with his army he shall stand.”

The glorious land: this, of course, refers to the land of Israel, but the expression has a very positive meaning. It is unwise to use a name like Moffatt, “the fair land of Palestine.” But translators should probably say something like “the fairest of all lands” (New English Bible) or “the Land of Splendour” (New Jerusalem Bible). This is not exactly the same expression as in 8.9, where only the noun “beauty” is found with the definite article, meaning “the beautiful one.” Here the word for “land” with the definite article is included. The basic meaning is, however, the same in both cases. Compare also verse 41.

All of it shall be in his power: literally, the Hebrew text has “and destruction shall be in his hand” (see New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project/Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends this reading rather than the one followed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Although a number of modern versions adopt the emended reading, the Hebrew text makes sense as it is, and there is no strong reason to deviate from it. Translators are therefore advised to say something like “he will have the power to destroy it (the Land).”

The taking of the fortress at Sidon by Antiochus III assured his total conquest of Judea. Thus the land passed from Egyptian to Syrian domination.

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 .