power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (Daniel 8:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 8:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then four horns which replaced the one which broke off show that one kingdom will be divided into four kingdoms. But those four will not be as strong as the first one.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “This is the meaning of the four horns that sprouted in the place of the horn that was broken — Out of that same country, will come four countries, but they will not have that much power.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The four horns that sprouted/appeared when the first-one was-torn-off represents the four kingdoms of Grecia that were-divided-up. But their kings were not as powerful as the king who was before them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “As for the four horns that grew after the first horn was broken off, they represent four kingdoms into which that first kingdom will be divided after the first king dies. Those four kingdoms will not be as strong/powerful as the first kingdom was.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 8:22

The structure of Revised Standard Version is difficult at this point. It may be simplified in the translation by following the Good News Translation model.

As for the horn that was broken: literally “And the broken one.” See verse 8.

His nation: literally “a nation.” The Hebrew has no possessive pronoun. The Revised Standard Version reading comes from the ancient versions, but it is not clear which noun the pronoun refers back to. The context requires something like “that nation” (Revised English Bible) or “the Greek nation” (Moffatt). This may be done for translation reasons without recourse to the ancient versions to correct the Hebrew text.

But not with his power: this has been amplified in Good News Translation, since the concise expression of the Hebrew reflected in Revised Standard Version may be difficult for the modern reader to understand. The four kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander the Great was divided did not actually cover all the territory that he had conquered. So the combined power of the four kingdoms would not be as great as that of Alexander.

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 .