He shall set his face: once again the subject pronoun should probably be rendered by “the king of Syria” or “the king of the north” (see the previous verse). And the idiomatic expression set his face will probably not be rendered literally. It carries the sense of making a firm decision or “making up one’s mind.” Some translations use verbs like “determine” (New International Version) and “resolve” (Revised English Bible). See the comparable New Testament expression in Luke 9.51.

With the strength of his whole kingdom: this expression may mean either (a) “using the might of his (the king of the north’s) entire kingdom” or (b) “conquering his (the king of the south’s) entire kingdom.” Solution (a) is followed by New International Version, Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, An American Translation, and Moffatt, as well as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. On the other hand, solution (b) is preferred by New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Anchor Bible. Translators will find themselves in good company whichever solution they adopt; but perhaps solution (a) is the better choice.

Bring terms of peace and perform them: the Hebrew equivalent is so ambiguous that there are several possible interpretations. There is also a significant textual problem to consider. The traditional Hebrew text says literally “and right intentions with him, and he makes….” This is taken by New English Bible to mean “he will come to fair terms with him.” However, the addition of a single Hebrew consonant yields the meaning “he will make a treaty with him.” But the meaning of the two alternatives is not radically different. Since most versions include the idea of an alliance or “coming to terms” (New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, and An American Translation), this is the idea that should probably be conveyed in the translation.

He shall give him: translators should be careful to identify the participants more precisely in their own languages. The subject is the king of Syria (king of the north), and the object pronoun represents the king of Egypt or “the king of the south.” If the persons referred to are not clearly understood, it will be important to make this clear in translation.

The daughter of women: there is no definite article in Hebrew before the word “daughter.” This expression seems to be the feminine equivalent of “son of man” (see 7.13) and therefore means simply “a woman.” The interpretation of Good News Translation, “his daughter,” corresponds with the historical event, and this same interpretation is followed by Anchor Bible and An American Translation. Moffatt even has “the princess of Egypt.” However, this is perhaps too precise in an account that seems to be intentionally vague. It is probably better to use a more general expression like “a woman’s hand” (New Jerusalem Bible), “a woman” (New Revised Standard Version), or possibly “a daughter” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). But it is unnecessary to emphasize youth as in “a young woman” (New English Bible) or “young daughter” (Revised English Bible).

To destroy the kingdom: literally “to overthrow (or destroy) her (or it).” Grammatically the final pronoun in Hebrew can refer to the daughter of women or to the “land (of Egypt),” which is also feminine in Hebrew. Revised Standard Version rightly takes it to be the latter and makes this clear in translation.

But it shall not stand or be to his advantage: literally “but she (or it) will not stand, she (or it) will not happen to him.” This can be understood to mean either “she will fail” or “the plan will fail,” but the sense is the same.

This verse is an apparent reference to the marriage of Cleopatra, the daughter of Antiochus III, to Ptolemy V. The Syrian king counted on this alliance to dominate little by little the Egyptian kingdom, but Cleopatra took the side of her husband against her father.

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 .