OET interlinear DAN 2:11

Section 2:1–49: Daniel explained the king’s dream

These Notes interpret Daniel 2:1–49 as a complete narrative unit. However, in some languages it may be helpful to divide this chapter into more than one section and to give each section a separate heading. For example:

1. The BSB has four sections.

   1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream (2:1–13)

   2. The Dream Revealed to Daniel (2:14–23)

   3. Daniel Interprets the Dream (2:24–45)

   4. Nebuchadnezzar Promotes Daniel (2:46–49)

2. The GNT has three sections:

(a) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1–13)

(b) God shows Daniel what the dream means (2:14–23)

(c) Daniel tells the king the dream and explains it (2:24–49)

This section tells how Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream. He asked his advisers to tell him what he had dreamed and its meaning. They were unable to do so, and the king threatened them with death. But God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel. Daniel then told the king what he had dreamed and what it meant. The king honored Daniel and Daniel’s God.

The climax of this narrative occurs in 2:47. There the king declared that the God whom Daniel worshiped was the greatest of all gods.

Special Translation Problems:

1. Lists: The author of the book of Daniel liked to use lists (2:2, 10). However, the author did not intend for these lists to be complete or exact. The lists usually provide examples of the types of people or things that belong in a certain group or category. The Notes will suggest options on how to translate these lists.

2. Synonyms: The text often uses different terms for similar ideas. For example, there are several verbs that mean “to reveal” or “to make known.” There are three different Aramaic verbs in 2:40 that mean “crush, break to pieces.” In some languages it may be difficult or confusing to use several different words for similar ideas. The Notes will suggest how you might translate these similar words and terms.

3. Poetry: You will need to think carefully about how you will translate the poetic section in this chapter (2:20–23). Authors of Hebrew poetry usually wrote using matching pairs of lines. The relationship between these parallel lines differs. Sometimes the second line repeats the information in the first line using different words. Sometimes the second line contrasts with the first line. Hebrew poetry also has word plays, figurative speech, and alliteration. It may not always be easy to translate these literary features into your language. The Notes will suggest ways of translating the different features of Hebrew poetry. For more information about how to translate Hebrew poetry, see the Bible Translation Handbook of the Psalms. The poetry in 2:20–23 is a song of praise or thanksgiving. If your language has a special poetic form that fits this song, you can use it here.

4. Ambiguity: In the section where Daniel interpreted the last part of the king’s dream, there are a number of ambiguous references. For example, in 2:44a Daniel referred to “those kings” without identifying who those kings were. In 2:44b Daniel spoke of “all these kingdoms.” The ambiguity may be deliberate, since the dream itself is a mystery. It will be important not to over-interpret these passages by assuming a particular historical context. The Notes will suggest several options for how to translate these verses.

5. Repetition: Daniel interpreted the meaning of the first three kingdoms in a very brief way. He used many more words to describe the fourth kingdom (2:36–45). In this section he also repeated much of what was described before. In this way, Daniel emphasized the fourth kingdom as the most important. Some of the repetition in this section emphasizes specific ideas. Sometimes the repetition has another function. You will need to evaluate if this kind of repetition is natural in your language. If not, you will need to find another way to emphasize these ideas.

Paragraph 2:10–11

The king’s experts and advisers all assured the king that his demand was impossible. Nobody could tell the king his dream. Only a god could do that.

What the king requests is so difficult

• Your Majesty, you^(sing) have asked us^(excl) to do something that is too difficult/hard.

• Sir, what you^(sing) have asked is beyond our ability.

• To explain your^(sing) dream without hearing it first is impossible—

that no one can tell it to him except the gods,

• Only the gods can reveal to you^(sing) what you dreamed,

• Only the divine beings can reveal this dream to you^(sing).

• except for divine beings,

General Comment on 2:11b

In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a positive statement. For example:

Only the gods could tell the king this. (NCV)

whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

• and they do not live among us^(incl) human beings.

• Those beings do not stay with mere people like us^(incl) so that we^(excl) could consult them.”

• who are very far from us^(incl) human beings.”

General Comment on 2:11

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of some information in this verse. For example:

^11bOnly the gods can reveal what you have dreamed ^11cbut they do not live here with us mortals. ^11aHuman beings are not able to do something like this.