OET interlinear DAN 11:6

11:6a

After some years they will form an alliance: The pronoun they here refers to the king of the South and the king of the North. That is, the pronoun refers to the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Seleucid Emperor. At the time they became allies, the two rulers were Ptolemy II (later known as Ptolemy the Great) and Antiochus II Theos. This took place several decades after the events recorded in 11:5, around 250 B.C. Here are some ways to translate this:

After some years have passed, they will form an alliance (NET)

Some years later, the southern king and the northern king will make an alliance.

11:6b

the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement: This verse part indicates that a marriage alliance was made between the two kings. The Egyptian ruler sent his daughter Berenice to marry the Seleucid Emperor, Antiochus II. Here are some other ways to translate this:

The daughter of the king of the South will marry the king of the North in order to bring peace. (NCV)

The king of the South will make an alliance with the king of the North and give him his daughter in marriage.

the daughter of the king of the South: This daughter of the king of the South was named Berenice. She was given in marriage by her father Ptolemy II of Egypt to the Seleucid Emperor Antiochus II. Antiochus had, however, previously married a woman named Laodice.

11:6c

But his daughter will not retain her position of power: The Hebrew text literally says, “but she will not retain the power of the arm.” This probably means that Berenice lost her influence. The previous wife of Antiochus worked against her, and the alliance between the northern and southern kingdoms did not last. Here are some other ways to translate this:

But she will not keep her power (NCV)

But she will lose her power. (CEV)

11:6d

nor will his strength endure: The Hebrew clause that the BSB translates as nor will his strength endure is more literally “and he will not stand and his arm.” The meaning is not totally clear. An “arm” is often a symbol of strength and the pronoun his refers to the king of the North, Antiochus. However, some scholars suggest that the correct reading is that of the Septuagint, “and not he will stand and his offspring.” The two possibilities are:

1. The MT reading “his arm” (BSB: his strength) is correct. For example:

   nor will he continue in his strength (NET) (BSB, NIV, NET, KJV, NASB, ESV, NLT)

2. The Septuagint reading “his seed/offspring” is correct. For example:

   and his family will not last (NCV) (NCV, RSV/NRSV, NJB, REB, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), that of the Masoretic Text. The king of the North and his power did not last. Antiochus II was killed a few years after his marriage to Berenice.

11:6e

At that time: In the Hebrew text, the phrase At that time is placed at the end of 11:6. Some translations indicate that it should be placed at the beginning of 11:7. See the RSV and GNT.

she will be given up: The Hebrew verb that the BSB literally translates as she will be given up means that the daughter of the king of the South would be killed. Historical reports record that Antiochus II himself, Berenice, her son, and her Egyptian attendants were all killed by order of the first wife of Antiochus II.11:6 For details see Goldingay, Word Biblical Commentary, page 296.

This is a passive clause. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• using a passive verb. For example:

  She…will…be delivered over (NET)

• using an active verb with a general subject. For example:

  they/someone will turn against her

Use the form that is most natural in your language. It is good to imply that this betrayal led to the queen’s death.

11:6f

along with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her: This verse part indicates that other people died along with the daughter of the northern king. In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:

Those who had escorted/accompanied her to the north, her father, and her husband died also.

her royal escort: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as her royal escort is literally “those who brought her.” It refers to the Egyptians who accompanied the princess to the north for the royal marriage. Many manuscripts have a singular form here, and you may use either a plural or singular form, whichever is most natural in your language. Here are some other ways to translate this:

the servants who went with her (GNT)

those who brought her to that country (NCV)

her attendants (NRSV)

her entourage

her father: There is a textual problem here. Some translations follow the ancient versions that read “her child.” The two options are:

1. The original text read “her father.” This is the reading of the MT, which says “the one who begot her.” However, Berenice’s father Ptolemy II did not die at the same time as Berenice, but soon after. (BSB, KJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, GW, NLT)

2. The original text read “her child.” This is the reading of some ancient versions.11:6 This is the reading of the Greek translation by Theodotion, the Syriac and the Vulgate. See Goldingay, World Biblical Commentary, page 277. Berenice’s son did in fact die at the same time as Berenice. He was probably killed by order of Antiochus’ first wife. (NET, RSV/NRSV, NJB, REB, GNT, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow the first options, in accordance with the MT.11:6 See the recommendations of HOTTP and CTAT. If your local and major language translations follow option (2), that is also acceptable.

and the one who supported her: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as the one who supported her, literally “the one supporting her,” is probably a reference to Berenice’s husband, Antiochus II. Historians believe that he was killed by order of his first wife Laodice.11:6 See, for example, the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, “Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II.” Here are some other ways to translate this:

her husband (NCV)