OET interlinear DAN 10:3

10:3a

I ate no rich food: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as rich food is more literally “bread of desirableness.” It refers in general to the rich and tasty foods that someone might eat during a celebration or feast. Daniel did not eat food like that. He ate only plain, simple food. Here is another way to translate this:

All that time I had eaten no rich food. (NLT)

10:3b

no meat or wine entered my mouth: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as entered my mouth is literally “came into my mouth.” This is an idiom referring to eating. This clause explains and expands on the previous clause. Specifically, Daniel did not eat any meat or wine. Use an expression that is natural in your language. For example:

no meat or wine had entered my mouth (NRSV)

no meat or wine passed my lips (REB)

No meat or wine crossed my lips (NLT)

I did not eat any…meat, or drink any wine (NCV)

10:3c

and I did not anoint myself with oil: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as I did not anoint myself with oil is more literally “anointing I did not anoint myself.” The repetition of the verb anoint emphasizes the statement. It was the custom to anoint oneself, that is, apply oil to the skin, for comfort and an attractive appearance. Daniel did not do this. This was another way in which he showed that he was mourning. Here are some other ways to translate this:

nor did I anoint myself with oil until the end of those three weeks (NET)

or use any perfumed oil for three weeks (NCV)

and I put no olive oil on my face or hair (CEV)

oil: The Hebrew text does not indicate what Daniel did not apply to his skin. The BSB has supplied the general word oil. Olive oil was the normal oil used for the skin and hair, and you may wish to supply this here, as the CEV has done.