complete verse (Daniel 3:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 3:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, king Nebuchadnezzar promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to do important/high work in the province of Babylon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that the king promoted Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego to [higher] positions in the province of Babylon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And the king gave Shadrac, Meshac, and Abednego a higher position in the province of Babilonia.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego more important positions in Babylon province than they had before.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 3:30

Then: some other ways of making the transition to this verse are “After that” or “As a result of this.” New Jerusalem Bible has “Thereupon.”

Promoted: literally, “caused to prosper.” This expression may be understood in two rather different ways: it may be understood as a promotion in rank with respect to their previous situation (2.49), or being reinstated to their previous positions. Translators are advised to give the first interpretation in the text and, if necessary, explain the second in a footnote. A literal rendering, “caused … to prosper” (New American Standard Bible), is not advised, since most versions adopt the idea of promotion. Good News Translation fills out the meaning by adding “to higher positions.” In other languages translators may have to say “gave them more important jobs than before,” “confided in them to a greater extent,” or “entrusted them with greater responsibilities than previously.”

The province of Babylon: see 2.49.

Translators using certain versions will note that there is a difference of numbering following this verse. Those verses numbered 1 through 3 of chapter 4 in most English versions are numbered as verses 31-33 of this chapter in translations following the numbering of the text in Aramaic. Whichever numbering system is followed, it is important to note that the next passage belongs with the narrative that follows, not with the story of 3.1-30.

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 .