Cunning: the corresponding Hebrew term usually has a positive sense of “wisdom” or “intelligence,” but in this context it can only have a negative meaning, since it is used for destructive purposes. Knox speaks of “crafty scheming.”

He shall make deceit prosper: or “he will make treachery succeed.” Although technically a causative form, most English versions drop the causative idea. The meaning is simply that he will be very effective in the use of deceit.

Under his hand: literally “in his hand.” Stylistically there may be an intentional contrast with the expression that follows, “in his heart.” The expression really adds nothing to the meaning of the text and is therefore dropped in many versions.

In his own mind he shall magnify himself: literally “and in his heart he will grow big.” That is, his own evaluation of his importance will be highly exaggerated. This may be expressed in a wide variety of ways in other languages. In those languages that use the word for “heart” as the seat of intelligence (as in Hebrew), it may be possible to preserve the use of this term. Some will say, for example, “his heart will swell up” or, changing the image, “his head will become big.”

Without warning: literally, “in security.” This word may be taken to mean (1) that the evil king acts without fear of resistance, or (2) that the people destroyed by the king thought they were completely safe. The Traduction œcuménique de la Bible rendering, “in complete peace,” seems to follow the first, while New Jerusalem Bible, “taking them unawares,” adopts the second meaning. The translation Without warning also takes the second meaning as the correct one. This is probably best, but other languages may render it “when they think they are safe….”

The Prince of princes: this literal rendering presents two serious problems. First, the English word “prince” does not mean the ruler himself but rather the son of the ruler, while the Hebrew term always designates a ruler, not at all implying son of a ruler. See verse 11, where the text speaks of the “Prince of the host.” Second, this kind of construction is a common Hebrew way of communicating the superlative idea. Compare “king of kings” in 2.37, where Good News Translation translates “the greatest of all kings.” And note that the book title “Song of Songs” actually means “The Greatest of All Songs.” So this expression should probably be translated “the greatest of all kings” or something similar. But in this case the expression is a euphemism for God himself.

By no human hand: the word hand is often used in the Old Testament to indicate power. In most languages it is inadvisable to translate it literally in such contexts.

He shall be broken: in those languages where it is necessary to transform the passive formulation to an active one, it is not recommended that the agent be named. It will probably be better to say something like “he will fall” or “he will suffer punishment.” If required, a more radical restructuring may name the agent: “God will break (or destroy) him without the help of any human being.”

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 .